Dhamara Fishing Harbour: A Hub for Community and Livelihood

Dhamara Fishing Harbour is a vital hub for the local community and a key source of livelihood for many residents. It's located in Odisha, a state on the east coast of India.

The harbour is situated on the banks of the Dhamara River, which provides a natural shelter for the fishing boats. This unique location allows fishermen to safely dock and unload their catch.

The harbour's strategic position also enables fishermen to access a vast fishing ground, making it an ideal spot for the fishing industry. This has led to the growth of a thriving fishing community in the area.

The harbour's infrastructure is well-equipped to handle the large number of fishing boats that operate from here, with facilities such as jetties, warehouses, and ice plants.

Dhamara Fishing Harbour has a total of 10 berths for fishing vessels, catering to the needs of local fishermen.

The harbour's location near the mouth of the Bhitarkanika River makes it an ideal spot for fishing and provides a safe anchorage for fishing vessels.

The harbour's infrastructure includes a fish landing centre, ice plants, and a cold storage facility, making it a convenient place for fishermen to sell their catch and store their equipment.

The Fishing Harbour is situated on the North Bank of the Dhamara River in the revenue village of Dhamara, Dist. Bhadrak.

Its coordinates are 20° 52'(N) latitude and 87° 04' longitude(E), making it easily locatable.

It's approximately 7 K.M. from the point where the Dhamara River meets with the Bay of Bengal.

This harbour is located in the Bhadrak district, which is a notable area for its ports and harbours.

Here is a summary of the harbour's location:

The fishing harbour is a hub for various species of fish, including Pomfret, Shrimps, Bombay Duck, and Hilsha, which are in high demand in both national and international markets.

These species are landed in the harbour and are then processed hygienically for value addition to fetch a good price in the market.

The management of Dhamara Fishing Harbour is a unified process. The harbour is now under the control of the Management Society, Dhamara Fishing Harbour, Dhamara.

This management society was handed over the harbour on December 1, 2009. The handover of the Phase-I & Phase-II Jetties with the Whole Harbour Complex marked a significant milestone in the harbour's development.

The Management Society is responsible for the day-to-day smooth management of the harbour. This includes overseeing all operations and ensuring that the harbour runs efficiently.

The Dhamara Fishing Harbour has made significant strides in development and certification. It achieved EIA certification, becoming the first harbour in the State to do so.

This certification allows the harbour to export products to European countries on its own. The harbour had to meet certain requirements to obtain this certification.

To prepare for the certification, the harbour authorities took several steps, including building a boundary wall and installing a water treatment facility with an auto chlorine doser and UV filters.

The Rs 13 crore allocated for the Dhamra fishing harbour is a significant investment in the district's fishing industry. This amount is earmarked for upgrading the harbour to international standards.

The upgradation work started last year and has already assigned Rs 6.22 crore to contractors through tender. This is a crucial step towards making the harbour clean, green, and hygienic.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations Organisation will provide technical support for the project. This collaboration will help in developing infrastructure and modern technology.

The funds will be spent on infrastructure, including fishermen gear shed, fishermen rest shed, restaurant, auction hall, sewerage treatment plant, and radio communication centre. A modernised hygienic ice factory will also be constructed.

All civil construction works are expected to be completed by May 2012. This is a tight timeline, but it's achievable with proper planning and execution.

A team from European Food and Animal husbandry countries will visit the harbour on November 15 to review the hygiene condition and the progress in the upgradation work. This visit will help in ensuring that the harbour meets international standards.

The Dhamara Fishing Harbour has achieved a major milestone by obtaining EIA certification. This certification allows the harbour to export products to European counties on its own.

The harbour has become the first EIA certified harbour in the State following approval of the Export Inspection Council, India. This is a significant achievement for the harbour and its stakeholders.

According to the EIA, Bhubaneswar Assistant Director, the harbour has now become able to handle, display and auction wild caught fishery products under Rule 11 of the Export of Fresh, Frozen and Processed Fish and Fishery Product (QC, I & M) Rules, 1995. This is a crucial step in the harbour's development.

The harbour authorities took a number of steps to get this certification, including construction of a boundary wall and provision of water treatment facilities. These improvements have helped to create a protective atmosphere for the harbour's activities.

The harbour's certification was a long time coming, with the Assistant Director first suggesting improvements in 2011. The harbour's authorities have worked hard to implement these suggestions and achieve certification.

Dhamara has plenty to offer when it comes to tourism. The Dhamarai Temple is a significant attraction in the area.

Dhamara's economy is also worth noting. It's a major port city, with the Dhamra Port being a key player in the region's trade.

The Dhamara Sea Beach is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Its stunning views and tranquil atmosphere make it a great place to relax.

The fishing industry is a significant contributor to Dhamara's economy. The Dhamara Fishing Harbour is a major hub for fishing activities in the region.

Here are some of the top tourism spots in Dhamara: