Published Paper Details:

The major part of coastal areas of West Bengal is rural in nature. Eastern part of the coast in the South 24 Parganas is mostly uninhabited due to the presence of dense mangrove forest. There is only one township (Haldia) located on the coast of West Bengal. The major activities of the coastal communities are rural in nature. These activities include agriculture, fishing, collection of minor forest produce in Sundarban, dairy and poultry development activities, small scale retail trading and service sector activities. In and around Haldia, many members of the coastal population are employed in the organized industries and in various trading activities or service oriented professions. In and around Digha, the local people are engaged in various professions related to tourism inclusive of the transport sector employment. Self-employed rural artisans of various handicraft products are a small group having a difficult livelihood (ICZM Project, 2012). Therefore, an integrated, multidimensional and holistic approach to poverty eradication efforts is crucial to preserve and enhance the livelihoods of these rural poor. Thus a study is undertaken in coastal rural areas of West Bengal to explore the feasibility of blue economy being a part of green economy in blue world for rural development as a livelihood strategy in order to provide opportunities for improvement of living condition in a sustained way. The green economy in blue world or the blue economy is the integration of water based economy including inland water body and ocean economy development with the principles of social inclusion, environmental sustainability and innovative, dynamic business models.