Archive · 11 Aug 2025
Boat License Delay Hurts Sundarbans Fishermen's Livelihoods
Fishermen in the Sundarbans area are unable to fish because they haven't received their yearly boat licenses.
The government is reviewing who is eligible for these licenses because some people who shouldn't have them are making money off of them.
This has been happening for a month, and the fishermen have missed important fishing times.
The fishermen are losing money because they cannot go fishing.
They want the government to change the system so that all eligible fishermen can get permits, and also fix it because if fishermen don't have a valid license and are attacked by a tiger, they won't get compensation.
Distribution of boat license certificates (BLCs) to Sundarbans fishermen has been stalled for over a month.
The delay is due to a revision of the BLC-holders list, awaiting approval from the Chief Minister's office.
Fishermen have lost at least 45 days and three peak fishing periods due to the delay.
The Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum suggests replacing the BLC system with individual permits.
Complaints exist regarding ineligible BLC holders renting certificates for profit.
- Who
- Nearly 1 lakh fishermen; forest officials; Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum; government officials.
- What
- Delay in distributing boat license certificates for fishermen in the Sundarbans.
- When
- For over a month, with licenses typically distributed before July.
- Where
- Sundarbans, South 24-Parganas, West Bengal
- Why
- Revision of existing BLC-holders list due to complaints of illegal documents and ineligible holders renting them out.
Fishermen (Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum)
Forest Department and Government
Proposed Solutions
Fishermen (Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum)
Existing BLC system should be disbanded and replaced with individual permits.
Forest Department and Government
The current system, with the revision, should be fixed.
- Affected Fishermen
- Nearly 1 lakh
- Location
- Sundarbans, West Bengal
- Reason for Delay
- Revision of BLC holders list
- Licenses under scrutiny
- 690 in tiger reserve area
- Loss of time
- At least 45 days, 3 peak fishing periods