Marine pollution is increasingly difficult to tackle because it is transboundary in origin, cumulative in impact, and fragmented in governance. Discuss the major sources and implications of marine pollution for India, and suggest an integrated approach for addressing it.

According to UNEP, nearly 11 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually, making marine pollution one of the fastest-growing environmental challenges for coastal nations like India.

Major sources of marine pollution in India

• Untreated sewage carried by rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra into coastal waters.
• Plastic waste leakage into oceans, affecting the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Lakshadweep.
• Chemical industries along the Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu coasts release heavy metals and toxic pollutants.
• Excess fertilisers cause eutrophication and contribute to dead zones, particularly in the Arabian Sea.
• Oil spills & ballast water discharge pollute major ports such as Mumbai, Chennai and Visakhapatnam.
• Fishing activities: damage coral reefs and entangle turtles and dolphins.
• Offshore exploration and coastal mining: Offshore oil extraction and sand mining degrade fragile marine habitats.

Implications for India

• Ecological: Coral bleaching in Lakshadweep and Gulf of Mannar, mangrove degradation in the Sundarbans.
• Economic: Losses to fisheries, coastal tourism and livelihoods of nearly 4 million marine fishers.
• Public Health: Microplastics and heavy metals enter seafood, posing risks of neurological disorders and cancers.
• Disaster Risk: Degraded coral reefs and mangroves weaken natural protection against cyclones and storm surges.
• Blue Economy: Pollution undermines India's vision of a sustainable Blue Economy and Maritime India Vision 2030.

Integrated approach:

• Adopt ridge-to-reef management by integrating river basin and coastal governance.
• Expand marine pollution monitoring through ISRO satellites, coastal observatories and citizen science initiatives.
• Strengthen implementation of the National Marine Litter Policy and Blue Economy Policy.
• Achieve 100% sewage treatment in coastal cities under the Namami Gange and AMRUT programmes.
• Strictly enforce Plastic Waste Management Rules 2024 and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
• Strengthen compliance with MARPOL and UNCLOS, and deepen cooperation under the South Asian Seas Programme.

Therefore, an ecosystem-based and whole-of-government approach is essential to secure India's marine biodiversity, livelihoods and maritime sustainability.