Transforming India’s Blue Economy

The Ministry of Earth Sciences released a white paper titled “Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Innovation and Sustainable Growth” outlining a roadmap to 2035.

What is Blue Economy?

Definition: According to The Energy and Resources Institute, Blue economy refers to exploring and optimizing the potential of the oceans and seas which are under India’s legal jurisdiction for socio-economic development, environmental sustainability, and national security.

The concept of Blue Economy was first articulated in 1994 by Prof. Gunter Pauli at the United Nations University (UNU).

India’s Potential in Blue Economy

Potential: India’s extensive coastline (11098 km) and large Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 2.4 million sq. km, with its strategic location on vital global shipping lanes provides significant potential for developing this sector.

Current Status:

India’s blue economy contributes 4% of its GDP
Handles 95% of its trade by volume
12 major (Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra will be 13th major port) and 200 minor ports along its coastline.
By 2035, India’s coastal shipping modal share is expected to grow from 6% to 33%, reflecting robust potential for economic expansion.

The Paper: Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Innovation and Sustainable Growth

The Ministry of Earth Sciences released a white paper titled, “Transforming India’s Blue Economy: Innovation and Sustainable Growth” outlining a roadmap to 2035.

Key Points from the Report

Definition & Vision

India defines the Blue Economy as a subset of the national economy that leverages ocean resources sustainably for economic growth, livelihoods, and innovation.
The roadmap aims until 2035, aligning growth with environmental sustainability.
Investment & Innovation Priority
- Emphasis on sustained investment in blue infrastructure, marine research, ocean innovation.
- Fostering public-private partnerships (PPPs) and creating targeted financial mechanisms to mobilize resources.
Institutional & Regulatory Framework
- Collaborative effort involving 25 central ministries / departments, along with coastal states & Union Territories.
- Strengthening ocean governance via legal & regulatory reforms.
- Draft National Blue Economy Policy under preparation / consulted.
- Weak coastal infrastructure, limited marine research capacity.
- Overuse of resources, threats to coastal livelihoods, pollution, environmental degradation.
- Gaps in data, technology, investment particularly in emerging sectors like offshore renewable energy, deep-sea exploration.
Models / Case Examples (Scalable / Replicable)
- Odisha’s community-led seaweed cultivation: provides alternate livelihood to fishing communities, helps with carbon sequestration & improves water quality.
- Kochi smart port transformation: use of digital twin tech, reduced vessel waiting times, better resource use, environmental monitoring.
- Alang, Gujarat: transforming shipbreaking under Hong Kong Convention standards, maximizing steel/non-ferrous metal recovery, managing hazardous waste & bioremediation.
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands sustainable tourism: eco-friendly infrastructure, community-led eco-tours, ban on single-use plastics, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to preserve coral reefs and reduce waste.
Alignment with Global & National Goals
- Alignment with SDG-14 (Life Below Water) and the UN Decade of Ocean Science
- Ties to India’s broader goals: Viksit Bharat 2047, climate change commitments, marine pollution control & coastal resilience.
Roadmap & Targets
- Need for an investment pipeline: feasible, high-impact blue economy projects ready for implementation.
- Mechanisms envisioned: Blue Investment Helpdesk (to assist investors with regulatory challenges), dashboards to track progress.
Environmental & Social Considerations
- Emphasis on sustainability: protecting coastal & marine ecosystems, pollution control, marine biodiversity conservation.
- Livelihood risks for coastal communities are explicitly recognized, with alternative livelihood models suggested.