Crusade against Plastic Pollution at Kerala Coast

 

Safna Nazarudeen IAS

 

 

With rivers acting as conduits, plastic waste generated on land eventually finds its final destination in the seas. From massive discarded fishing nets to invisible micro plastics, the marine environment is now saturated with plastic debris, jeopardising marine life, food security, human health and even the global climate. Plastic pollution in the oceans is no longer a distant problem—it is a current crisis with tangible impacts. Marine animals mistake plastic for food, causing injuries and death. Long-term exposure is linked to endocrine disruption, cancer and developmental issues in humans. Plastic production is deeply entwined with fossil fuel extraction, contributing significantly to global warming. Plastic litter devalues coastal destinations, deterring tourism and imposing high cleanup costs. Faced with the growing menace of marine plastic pollution, Kerala launched an ambitious campaign: Suchitwa Sagaram, a venture which received the UN Recognition. Launched on 20 November 2017, the initiative aimed to:

• Prohibit plastic waste dumping at sea.

• Collect plastic materials inadvertently caught during fishing operations.

• Dispose of marine plastic in an environmentally responsible manner.

The program brought together key stakeholders—Fisheries Department, SAF, NETFISH, Harbour Engineering Department, Suchitwa Mission, and most importantly, the fisherfolk. It empowered them not only as custodians of the sea but also as environmental warriors.

Operational Model

• Plastic waste entangled in nets is now brought ashore instead of being discarded back into the sea.

• Collection points at Neendakara and Sakthikulangara harbours gather and segregate plastic.

• A shredding unit at Neendakara converts the waste into plastic pellets used in road construction.

lding upon the success of this project, the Suchitwa Sagaram – Sundara Theeram project was introduced to extend the clean-up efforts to the coastline. The project sanctioned in 2022, evolved into a multi-phased people’s campaign across all nine coastal districts. It united fishermen, students, NGOs, Kudumbashree units, local self-governments, youth clubs and research institutions like CMLRE and FSI under a common banner. The third phase of the project is envisaged by the Government through establishing plastic shredding units in the major fishing harbours of the country.

Recognition and Replication

• The project’s exhibit was awarded first place at the World Fisheries Day Exhibition in 2022

• International NGOs like Plast Save (UK) have appreciated the project.

The success of Suchitwa Sagaram – Sundara Theeram is a testament to what collective will, community participation, and environmental vision can achieve.

 

-The writer is Director at Fisheries