On World Environment Day 2020, we need to spare a thought on conservation of our oceans and seas which make our Earth a blue planet. Oceans are central to life on Earth. They are rich in oil and mineral resources, they are suppliers of Salt, Oxygen, absorbents of Carbon dioxide, a virtual heat sink, rich in biodiversity and which are the de facto global economic highways for transit of sea borne trade.
With depletion of resources on land, humankind has turned towards the seas for resources and there is a misperception that oceans have an unending resource base and are an infinite sink, but that is far away from reality. Over the past few decades, we have witnessed indiscriminate pollution of the oceans and contamination of the natural marine habitat, resulting in an adverse impact of climate change on the oceans. Studies have indicated that nearly 80% of pollutants in the seas emanate from land and if the current rate of pollution continues, in a few decades we will have more plastic in the ocean than fish.
As a Maritime nation, India is committed towards conservation of the waters around us. It should be our endeavour to strive for efficient utilisation of marine resources, with minimal impact on the environment to ensure sustainable development of the oceans. The Honorable Prime Minister has launched a dynamic initiative of Swachh Bharat . To ensure clean and healthy oceans for future generations we now need to extend the initiative to Swachh Sagar .