Assessing the Role of Social and Solidarity Initiatives in exploring Blue Economy: Evidences from Indian Sundarbans

Abstract

Blue economy approach can mitigate the impacts of climate change on marine and coastal ecosystems. Sundarbans landscape is posed by the climate change of the region as reflected in the continued global warming, rising sea level, erosion of island area and increased frequency of cyclones. Thematic mapping of the Sundarbans region reveals a high ecological security in this region, whereas it is characterised by insecure economic efficiency and social equity. Through participatory observation methods, qualitative information of the operation of selected Social and Solidarity Economic (SSE) initiatives is screened in this study in the light of three sustainability pillars of the blue economy: ecological conservation measures, economic sustainability and social development services. Empirical evidence reveals a variation in the performance of the SSE actors, which is conditioned upon their scale of operation, level of financial assistance and range of activities.