Context:
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has announced plans to boost lighthouse tourism under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. This announcement was made during a stakeholders meeting organized by the Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships in Vizhinjam, Kerala.
Relevance:
GS II: Government Policies and Interventions
Dimensions of the Article:
- What is a Lighthouse?
- Role of Modern Lighthouses in India
- Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030)
What is a Lighthouse?
Definition and Purpose
- A lighthouse is a structure designed to emit light, aiding navigation for mariners by marking dangerous coastlines, shoals, reefs, and safe harbor entries.
- India currently maintains 194 lighthouses along its coastal lines and islands.
Historical Significance
- Ancient India: References in the Rigveda and Satapatha Brahmana indicate early navigation knowledge in Indian seas.
- Mythological Connections: Stories like ‘Manu’ escaping a flood highlight ancient Indian understanding of sea voyages.
- 7th Century A.D.: Pallava king Narasimhavarman-I erected the Mamallapuram lighthouse, using log fires, offering views of the UNESCO World Heritage shore temple complex.
Role of Modern Lighthouses in India
Navigational Aid
- Modern lighthouses continue guiding ships, marking ports, and serving as GPS backups.
- Post-2008 Mumbai attacks, lighthouses upgraded with state-of-the-art radars for coastal surveillance.
- Introduction of Automatic Identification System (AIS) enhances communication between fishermen and lighthouses.
- Marine Aids to Navigation Act of 2021 promotes historical and cultural significance of lighthouses.
- Indian Lighthouse Festival in Goa showcases heritage and tourism potential, turning many into tourist attractions.
Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV 2030)
Overview
- Maritime India Vision 2030 is a comprehensive ten-year blueprint for India’s maritime sector, launched at the Maritime India Summit in November 2020.
- It aims to enhance India’s position in the global maritime sector by focusing on waterways, shipbuilding, and cruise tourism.
Key Objectives
- Sectoral Development: Emphasizes on boosting waterways and cruise tourism, superseding the Sagarmala initiative.
- Strategic Themes: Focuses on brownfield capacity augmentation, Mega Ports development, transhipment hub in Southern India, and infrastructure modernization.
- Export Growth: Aims for a 5% share in global exports, focusing on improving maritime capabilities and Ease of Doing Business (EoDB).
Interventions
- Infrastructure Development: Over 200 port connectivity projects, technology adoption, and smart port initiatives to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce costs.
- Governance and Regulations: Enhances governance mechanisms, amends laws, strengthens Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), and promotes PPPs and fiscal support.
Human Resource Development
- Seafaring Leadership: Aims to become a leading seafaring nation by enhancing education, research, and training for seafarers.
- Competitiveness: Focuses on research, innovation, and creating a conducive environment for seafarers and port capability development.
Environmental Sustainability
- Renewable Energy: Targets 40% national energy from renewables by 2030, aligning ports with International Maritime Organization (IMO) goals for sustainability.
- Green Ports: Implements measures such as renewable energy adoption, emissions reduction, water usage optimization, waste management, safety initiatives, and centralized monitoring.
Conclusion
- Maritime India Vision 2030 outlines ambitious goals to transform India into a global maritime leader through strategic development in infrastructure, governance, human resources, and environmental sustainability, ensuring sustainable growth and competitiveness in the maritime sector.
