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NEW DELHI, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences has invited public comments on its draft blue economy policy for the Asian country, officials said on Wednesday.
According to them, the draft blue economy policy outlines the vision and strategy that can be adopted by the Indian government to utilize the oceanic resources available in the country.
"The policy document has been disseminated for pubic consultation on several outreach platforms including websites and social media handles of the ministry and its institutes," the ministry said in a statement. "Stakeholders have been invited to submit inputs and ideas by Feb. 27, 2021."
Officials said the policy document aims to enhance contribution of the blue economy to India's GDP, improve the living standards of coastal communities, preserve marine biodiversity, and maintain the national security of marine areas and resources.
The ministry statement said India's blue economy is expected to aid "the production of goods and services that have clear linkages with economic growth, environmental sustainability, and national security."
"The blue economy is a vast socio-economic opportunity for coastal nations like India to utilize ocean resources for societal benefit responsibly," it added.
India's coastal economy currently sustains over 4 million fisherfolk and coastal communities.
The blue economy "occupies a vital potential position in India's economic growth. It could well be the next multiplier of GDP and well-being, provided sustainability and socio-economic welfare are kept center-stage. Therefore, India's draft blue economy policy is envisaged as a crucial framework towards unlocking country's potential for economic growth and welfare," the ministry said.
The draft blue economy policy framework has been prepared in line with the government's vision for India's development by 2030. It highlighted blue economy as one of the 10 core dimensions for national growth, the ministry said. Enditem