National Coordination Body on Mangroves for Future calls for action to restore health of our oceans

Location: New Delhi, India . 15th Apr 2015

Mangroves for Future is a regional initiative to restore Mangroves across 11 countries including India. This programme is steered by respective Governments in association with scientific institutions, private sector, and international organizations. In India, the National Coordination Body (NCB) is chaired by Shri Hem Pande, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEF&CC).

At a recent meeting on 15th April, 2015 at the Ministry, the NCB deliberated upon the deteriorating coastal and marine environment. They called upon all concerned to take urgent steps to restore its health. Dr J.R. Bhatt, Advisor, MOEF&CC, referred to a recent publication in the international scientific journal PLOS One, in which the unabated pollution of the oceanic environment has been highlighted. The paper has reported 5.25 trillion particles of plastic debris weighing 268,940 tons, floating in our oceans. The paper estimates that 90% of the debris are smaller than a grain of rice, and are globally distributed. Cleaning of this size seems almost impossible, and only sure way to prevent pollution is to stop dumping plastic in our oceans.

Marine debris and plastic are the result of poorly managed waste from human activities. Pollution from the terrestrial realm invariably reaches the oceans where it circulates and accumulates in never ending cycles with currents. There is over- whelming evidence that plastic pollution is a severe threat to marine biodiversity, and particularly to marine biota, which are already threatened by other anthropogenic pressures. Additionally, microscopic marine organisms feeding on these plastics are in turn predated on by larger organisms, which are eventually consumed by humans. Through this process of bioaccumulation, humans are now in danger of feeding on our own plastic waste.

This is a serious health hazard which we are ignoring at our own peril. Shri Hem Pande, Chair of NCB India, was keen to know how international bodies and global conventions like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS) are addressing this issue. Coastal and marine ecosystems comprise 2/3rd of planet earth. They are sources of food and other resources, and have the potential to feed and support entire humanity. It is inexplicable as to why human race is bent upon destroying a system which is crucial for sustaining humans, Shri Pande remarked. He desired that the officials who represent India at conventions relating to Seas, like UNCLOS, should be apprised of the serious implications on human life. He referred to the importance of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (2.17 million Sq. km) in sustaining our burgeoning populations. He underlined the need to maintain the ecological heath of the coasts and marine life for sustained fisheries stocks that are critical in ensuring the food security for our people. It was desired to launch an awareness programme to bring about a change in behaviors among various sections of our society, towards preventing the dumping of pollutants into our seas.

Members supported the initiative undertaken by the Ministry to establish a learning group of all stakeholders on coastal and marine issues, to ensure coordinated action and synergy among various agencies. The group will be used as an effective platform for articulating issues on the coastal and marine environment at a national level.

Chair NCB emphasized that we must address the divide between Fisheries, and Coastal and Marine Conservation; the ultimate goal of both is sustainable fisheries after all. To this extent a module on coastal and marine Biodiversity should form part of the training curriculum of Indian Forest Service officers, who become guardians of the coast. It will equip them to address management concerns of the unique ocean biodiversity ecosystem appropriately.

Echoing the sentiments of the Chair, NCB, Dr Bhatt observed that Oceans, seemingly vast and limitless, cannot be treated as dumping ground for the pollutants the humans generate. Its ability to sustained fish production is already is declining. Once feared and revered with awe and gratitude, its integrity is compromised. We cannot afford to lose time in arresting its slide towards degeneration.

Mr. P.R. Sinha, referred to excellent knowledge products brought out by MFF India. These publications have helped raise awareness levels of the general public, as well as sensitized policy makers and the managers of our vulnerable coasts. These include, but are not limited to:

Coral reefs: Rainforests of Our Oceans  
Mangroves: Soldiers of Our Coasts 
India’s Coastal and Marine Treasure Chest
Coral Reefs in India: Status, Threats and Conservation Measures
Towards the Conservation and Management of Mangrove Ecosystems in India

The rest can be accessed through the Mangroves for the Future website; please click here.

Members complemented the chair and the member secretary, NCB in bringing this matter during the meeting of the NCB. It was desired by Shri Hem Pande, Chair NCB to articulate these concerns at appropriate forums.

NCB India deliberates on challenges facing the marine and coastal ecosystems

NCB India deliberates on challenges facing the marine and co ... , New Delhi © IUCN India, 2015

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