Port Blair, May 1: Fisheries, which forms an integral part of the islands’ economy and an important source of nutrition, is one of the worst hit sectors due to the decline in sales and restrictions in fishing operations. Although the Centre is slowly lifting these restrictions, there are a number of fishing families who have been severely impacted by the lockdown and unfortunately remain excluded from relief activities. The President of Boat Committee Junglighat, Shri Nagesh Rao said, “There are hundreds of families here who have lost their livelihoods due to the lockdown”.

To help the fishing families in the islands, WWF-India and Dakshin Foundation distributed relief packages to 225 fishing families worst hit by the impact of the lockdown. The packets included: Rice bag-10kg, toor dal, sunflower oil, tamarind, turmeric powder, chilli powder, jeera, mustard seeds, salt, sugar, potato and onions. The distribution was done with the help of Andaman & Nicobar Fisheries Cooperative Federation and the Boat committee Junglighat from April 28 to May 1, 2020. 

WWF-India has worked across the country for over 50 years to ensure that people and nature can thrive together. Dakshin is a non-profit organization with a presence in several coastal states of the country, committed to environmental conservation, natural resource management and social justice. Dakshin also manages and runs the Andaman Nicobar Environment Team (ANET) in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This initiative is expected to provide a temporary respite to fishing families reeling from the uncertainty regarding the fate of fishing operations and aid the current relief efforts in the islands.