Fishing
Fishing has been a significant activity in India for a long time. According to the Economic Survey of 2020-21, “The livelihood opportunities provided by this sector have been instrumental in sustaining incomes of over 28 million people in India, especially the marginalized and vulnerable communities, and has promoted meaningful socio-economic development.” Out of this total figure, a significant share comes from fishing in rivers. With the rise in the demand for meat consumption, the fishing industry has seen a boom in the past few decades. In fact, the Economic Survey also states that in the total agricultural exports, the marine products’ share is close to 19%, the highest of all.
Rivers, being a source of clean water, acts as an ideal breeding ground for fish. One of the most popular rivers for fishing is the river Ramganga that flows through the Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
Role of Rivers in Indian Economy
Since the inception of human civilization, rivers have been a significant part of human lives. Water has been the most precious natural resource since time immemorial. In fact, the earliest known human settlements were started around the river banks, for instance, the Indus valley civilization. The primary reason for these developments was the potential of rivers as a source of livelihood and to generate economic activities around them. Over the period, as human civilizations across the nation began to develop, the dimensions of rivers as a source of the economy also increased. Let’s discuss some spheres where we find the economic importance of rivers.
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