Field-Level Awareness Programme on Climate-Resilient Green Agro-Eco-Tourism Models Held in Karwar

3 September 2026, Karnataka

A field-level awareness programme on the Development of Climate-Resilient Green Agro-Eco-Tourism Models, with special emphasis on aqua eco-tourism, was organised today at River Deck, Karwar, Uttara Kannada, Coastal Karnataka. The programme focused on creating awareness about the potential of aqua eco-tourism to support livelihood diversification, sustainable aquaculture, coastal ecosystem conservation and climate resilience among fish farmers and coastal communities.

Coastal regions are endowed with rich fisheries resources, aquaculture systems, mangrove ecosystems and diverse natural landscapes, offering significant opportunities for sustainable livelihood development. As many fish farmers and coastal communities depend largely on fisheries and aquaculture for their income, diversification into complementary livelihood activities can strengthen economic security and resilience. In this context, aqua eco-tourism provides an opportunity to integrate aquaculture and fisheries with tourism, recreation, environmental education and ecosystem conservation.

The programme highlighted the potential of existing aquaculture and coastal resources to support a range of visitor-oriented activities, including farm visits, fishing experiences, aquaculture demonstrations, nature-based activities and recreational experiences. Such activities can generate supplementary income for fish farmers while enabling them to continue their primary aquaculture and fisheries operations.

Discussions during the programme emphasised the importance of developing aqua eco-tourism in a sustainable and responsible manner. The need to balance tourism-related activities with the ecological carrying capacity of aquatic environments was highlighted, particularly to minimise adverse impacts on aquatic ecosystems and ensure their long-term sustainability.

The significance of mangrove ecosystems and their conservation and reforestation was also discussed as an important component of climate-resilient coastal development. Integrating mangrove conservation with aqua eco-tourism can enhance environmental awareness among visitors while creating opportunities for nature-based tourism and strengthening the ecological resilience of coastal communities.

The programme further highlighted the role of aqua eco-tourism in promoting multiple-income generation and livelihood diversification among fish farmers. Community participation was identified as a key factor in ensuring that tourism-related economic benefits reach fish farmers, local youth and other members of coastal communities. Active involvement of local communities can also contribute to better resource management, conservation and responsible tourism practices.

The participation of progressive cage culture farmers provided an opportunity to exchange practical experiences and discuss the scope for integrating aquaculture activities with tourism and other supplementary livelihood opportunities.

Overall, the programme served as a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion on the integration of aquaculture, tourism, livelihood diversification, environmental conservation and climate resilience. It highlighted aqua eco-tourism as a promising climate-resilient livelihood diversification approach capable of generating additional income for fish farmers while promoting sustainable aquaculture, mangrove conservation and responsible utilisation of coastal resources.

(Source: ICAR - Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa)