Envisages strengthening and expanding cooperative institution building for fishermen
India CSR News Network
MUMBAI: Tata Power, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Coastal Gujarat Power Limited striven towards the betterment of the communities in and around its Mundra plant. In line with this, Tata Power has undertaken numerous projects and initiatives to bring a positive change amongst the fishermen community.
The fishing community in Kutch district lacked infrastructure, access to quality healthcare, sanitation and clean drinking water. The community had a low annual income and was under debt on account of their inability to earn good price for their produce. Recognising the needs of the community and in order to ensure sustainability of livelihood, Tata Power partnered with Fisheries Management Resource Centre (FishMarc) an organization of experts in co-operative institution building amongst fishermen and fishing related activities.
The core component of the initiative is cooperative institution building amongst the traditional marine fishing communities. The action is about freeing the fishing families from the vicious circle of debt and helping them in marketing of fish and related activities.
This association aims to ensure sustainability of traditional livelihood of the fisher folk. Through this partnership various projects and initiatives will be undertaken to strengthen and expand cooperative institution building of traditional marine fishery of Kutch. The initiatives will pan across setting up of a credit fund for institutional lending to fisher families, infrastructure facilities for fish handling, storage and quality improvement, capacity building, training, skill development and monitoring and co-ordination of project implementation among others. The first step of setting up of a credit fund was launched in August, 2013.
Speaking on the occasion, K K Sharma, ED and CEO, CGPL stated, “We at Tata Power aim to equip the fishing community to lead a better life and have undertaken numerous initiatives to benefit the fishing community of Modhva, and Tragadi villages in Mandvi. Our aim is to increase their productivity by promoting best practices, as well as providing them with the necessary support. We would like to thank FishMarc for their support and contribution towards helping these communities.”
Designated project coordinators have been identified at CGPL and FishMarc to plan, synchronize, and execute the integrated social and economic development initiatives in a strategic manner. The progress of the initiatives undertaken will be tracked basis the monthly, half yearly and annual reports submitted by FishMarc.
Tata Power community development initiatives have benefited communities of Tunda, Vandh, Modhva, Tragadi, Mota Kandagra, Nana Bhadiya, Nani Khakhar and Moti Khakhar villages in Mundra and Mandvi Taluka. The Company continues to serve its target neighbouring communities under CGPL’s Impact Mitigation and Community Development Plan (Based on the Baseline Social Impact Assessment). Efforts are on to resolve health, sanitation and educational needs of the local people. Investments will be made further to increase community’s access to better quality social services and livelihood options.
Fisheries Management Resource Centre (FishMarc) is a Non-Government organization which was formed in 2008 for the co-operative institution building in fisheries. FishMarc has supported fishing communities across states in India and helped them organise themselves to market fish, establish controls over inputs and protect their rights as a means to improve and sustain their livelihoods.
