Project title: Skill Training and Providing Lifesaving Equipment to the Inland Fishers of Selected Districts in Telangana
Launched on: 22^ndJune 2023
Launched by: Shri. Jatindra Nath Swain, IAS, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Government of India
Project cost: Rs 28.52 lakh
Funding agency: Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad
Implementing agency: National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) in coordination with the State Fisheries Department, Government of Telangana
Project period: 4 months
Project implementation area: Nizam Sagar in Kamareddy district and Sri Ram Sagar in Nirmal and Nizamabad districts of Telangana.
Project Rationale:

• Increased drowning cases in the three districts viz., Nizamabad, Kamareddy, and Nirmal due to unsafe fishing practices like use of ‘teppa’ (coracle) and makeshift rafts made of thermocole sheets having no oars, using the fishers’ legs to move the thermocole boats which entangles them in their own net and fishing close to sluices/dam
• Poor knowledge of inland fishers on usage of life-saving equipment and safe crafts

• Empower the fishers particularly, the youth with knowledge and skills in rescue, and life support techniques and provide safety aid to at-risk fishers
• Provide lifesaving equipment to the economically downtrodden inland fishers
• Create awareness on Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) implemented by NFDB under PMMSY to enable the fishers to understand the procedures involved in availing immediate assistance to the families

• Hands on training on usage of Lifesaving equipment, first-aid, and rescue operations
• Providing lifesaving equipment without beneficiary contribution to save the fishers in times of risks
• Providing training on safe fishing crafts and gears suitable for reservoirs through exposure visits to neighbouring state
• Awareness programs on Group Accident Insurance Scheme (GAIS) to the fishers

• Transformation from unsafe fishing practices to safe fishing methods
• Knowledge upgradation on life saving techniques to the traditional fishers of Telangana
• Reduces loss of lives through safety measures
• Improvement in conventional fishing methods and in livelihood development
• Improved fishing directly aids in doubling the income levels and raising their socioeconomic status