Context:
India’s seaweed farming sector, currently valued at Rs 200 crore, is projected to expand to Rs 3,277 crore over the next decade.
Sea Weeds:
- Form of macroscopic algae
- Feature – A primitive type of plant lacks true roots, stems and leaves
- Habitat – Marine and shallow coastal waters or brackish water habitats and on rocky shores.
- Types – green algae, brown algae, red algae and blue algae.
- Significance –
- Used as Bio Indicators
- Renewable source of Food
- Used in Pharmaceutical Industry
- Environmental benefits such as storage of carbon
- Used in Bioplastics
Seaweed Cultivation in India:
- Around 844 species of seaweeds have been reported from India
- Primarily found in – Coast of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and around Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- Status – India has the potential to produce around 9.7 million tonnes of seaweed per year, but it remains underutilised.
- Government Initiatives –
- Seaweed Mission – To commercialize seaweed farming and processing for value addition.
- Commercialisation of Seaweed Products by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
- Multi-Purpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu.
Source: BS
Previous Year Question
Which one of the following is used in preparing a natural mosquito repellent?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) Congress grass
(b) Elephant grass
(c) Lemon grass
(d) Nut grass
Answer: (c)