Did you know that landfills and other areas of our ecosystem still contain 79% of all the plastic debris that has ever been created on a global scale? By 2050, there will be more plastic in the water than fish because they will all finally make their way to the ocean, the last sink, as reported by First Post.
Marine pollution
An international environmental problem, marine pollution is also a problem in Indian cities. India is the world’s second-largest producer of fish and aquaculture, with a coastline of over 8,000 kilometres and a wealth of freshwater resources. Moreover, fishing, aquaculture, and tourism in India provide more than 20 million people with a living that is dependent on marine ecology. Nevertheless, due to a tidal surge of marine pollution brought on by India’s expanding population and economic growth, not only is our economy at risk but also our health.
The lack of effective waste management systems is one of the main reasons Indian cities struggle to control marine pollution. Cities frequently release municipal trash into rivers, which then flow into the ocean. The government is spending a lot of money to upgrade the infrastructure for waste management, but these initiatives need to be carried out more effectively. To lessen their environmental impact, industries—including the shipping industry—need to embrace sustainable practices. Additionally, the issue is made worse by the lax implementation of the laws and rules already in place regarding marine pollution. Due to insufficient or inconsistent enforcement of the laws governing waste disposal and pollution control in India, pollution is out of control.
Another serious issue in India is overfishing, which damages the marine ecosystem and depletes fish stocks. Bottom trawling is one destructive fishing method that harms non-target species and the seafloor. This has caused biodiversity to decrease, fish stocks to continue to be depleted, and pressure on marine ecosystems to increase.
Managing and maintaining
The Indian government has taken a number of actions to address these issues, including the execution of the Blue Revolution programme, the Coastal Regulatory Zone Notification, and the National Plan for the Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems. With help from the coastal communities, these programmes seek to sustainably manage and maintain marine ecology. Yet, much work needs to be done to ensure the long-term productivity and health of India’s marine biodiversity.
Here are some suggestions to ensure continued commitment to a broad spectrum of source-to-sea interventions to address the issue of marine pollution:
- Education: There is also an urgent need for behavioural change. No number of laws will be of impact if citizens are not educated about the importance of reducing their use of single-use plastics and protecting the ocean. People often discard plastic waste and other pollutants in water bodies without realising the impact of marine pollution on the environment and human health. It is essential to raise awareness among the public about the impact of their actions on the marine ecosystem. Towards this, governments should take the lead in including environmental education in the curriculum for young children. We should catch them young and sow awareness about how much climate action each individual is capable of. NGOs and other stakeholders should come together to educate adults about proper waste management practices and the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling plastics. Additionally, beach clean-ups and other community initiatives can be organised regularly to keep a check on the amount of waste that enters rivers and seas.
- Implementation of SUP (single-use plastic) ban: From July 1, 2022, single-use plastic has been banned in India. However, many states have not fully implemented this, mainly due to the lack of sufficient alternatives and the public’s reluctance to change habits. This should be done without any further delay and businesses should also cooperate by opting for biodegradable packaging materials.
- Proper disposal of waste: It is crucial to dispose of waste properly, especially when it comes to hazardous materials. Otherwise, they end up in the ocean eventually, polluting several habitats along the way. Governments should enforce strict waste disposal regulations, and individuals and businesses should be held accountable. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy which promotes a circular economy, introduced by India in 2016. Under this policy, producers, importers and brand owners who produce large amounts of plastic are held financially and physically responsible for managing or disposing of post-consumer products. Such regulations should be enforced without lenience.
- Promote sustainable fishing practices: Implementing catch limits, enforcing restrictions on destructive fishing practices, and promoting sustainable aquaculture practices are measures that are integral for the health of the marine ecosystem. Additionally, there needs to be a focus on providing alternative livelihoods and income sources for fishermen to reduce their dependence on fishing.
Taking a circular economy approach
India has a long history of applying these concepts, despite the fact that the phrase “circular economy” is relatively new. We need to further utilise these principles. Circularity is the foundation of many of our customs and values, including repairing and recycling things. With a focus on advancing green construction and sustainable urban development, the Indian government established the National Mission on Sustainable Habitat. We also participated in the International Resource Panel’s creation, which works to advance responsible resource usage on a worldwide scale. We need to approach this issue in a more comprehensive manner.
The goal of a circular economy, for instance, is to completely eliminate waste through waste avoidance, reduction, and reuse. This can be accomplished in large part by redesigning goods and packaging with awareness and care. Another thing that may be done is to encourage environmentally friendly production methods that reduce the negative effects of manufacturing. Using renewable energy, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting natural resources all fall under this category. We can lessen the quantity of waste that enters our ocean and the harm it does to not only marine life but also human health by taking such a comprehensive strategy. This can support the maintenance of the health and biodiversity of our oceans as well as their long-term viability for future generations.
As a final point, it is a matter of the great promise that a global agreement was reached at the UN headquarters in New York on the evening of March 4, 2023, protecting the world’s oceans after 38 hours of negotiations. The High Seas Treaty was finally ratified after ten years of discussions. By 2030, the agreement seeks to protect and restore marine habitats by designating 30% of the oceans as protected areas. Every participating nation must make earnest efforts in it if we are to make progress.
Did you subscribe to our newsletter?
It’s free! Click here to subscribe!
Source: First Post
