250 kg of debris cleared from Sindhudurg reefs | India News – Times of India

NAVI MUMBAI: India’s first large-scale clean-up operation of the ocean floor was launched in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg Coral Reefs on Wednesday, with seven certified divers collecting around 250 kg of non-biodegradable waste from the seabed. This pioneering initiative to restore marine biodiversity and ecosystems, led by government agencies and involving several NGOs, targeted a radius of 150 meters near the Sindhudurg Fort. The cleanup involved careful extraction, bundling and disposal of mostly discarded or lost nylon fishing nets, further complicated by underwater problems.
Maharashtra-based senior scientist Ashok Kadam of Fisheries Survey of India told TOI: “This is the first ocean floor clean-up drive jointly organized by the government and private agencies. The program was devised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to raise awareness about ocean conservation and keep our coasts clean and plastic-free. Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the Fisheries Department have taken the lead in this regard.” The initiative was led by MPCB, Fisheries Survey of India (Mumbai base), NGO Vanashakti along with local partners such as the state Fisheries Department, Malvan Nagar Parishad, Neelkranti, Youth Beats for Environment, Maharashtra Maritime Board and Malvan Tourist Group.
Kadam further said that the Union ministry has set aside funds of around Rs 40 crore for carrying out awareness programs related to keeping our oceans and coasts clean. Schools and students will also be involved in future cleanups, he added.
Marine debris, including ghost nets left behind or lost during fishing activities, often drift with ocean currents, entangling corals and devastating marine life. “Moreover, these ghost nets detract from the natural beauty of the region, impacting tourism in Malvan, a hotspot for coral reef exploration and marine education,” said environmentalist D. Stalin of Vanashakti. Local fishermen have welcomed the effort.