A subsidiary of Tata
Power Company, Coastal Gujarat Private Limited (CGPL), has their 4000MW Ultra
Mega Power Plant in Kutch and the company being highly involved in Corporate
Social Responsibility, launched a community-based sustainable livelihood
programme in 2014 in partnership with Swadeep, the initiative is called
Sagarbandhu. The programme was focused in the villages of Trigadi Bandar in
Mundra block, the major areas where about 120 fishermen come from different
villages and stay about at least 8 to 9 month (August to April) with their
family for fishing and return to when the fishing season ends, and do their
alternative jobs, which are highly seasonal. The communities have been greatly
encouraged by the initiative of CGPL and Swadeep have responded with great
enthusiasm.
The Sagarbandhu program
Activities include Fisheries Information Center, exposure visits, regular
meetings, SHG formation, drinking water and sanitation facilities, Sagar Shala
intervention for children of these fishermen and distribution of various tools
and aids that are useful for fishermen i.e. First aid kit, Solar dryer, boat
lights, fishing nets and marketing equipment. Through these, the fisher folk
and villagers are offered training on new and different fishing techniques.
There has also been an improvement made to the infrastructure in the villages
to provide easier access to local markets.