Pollution

Coral reefs are the most threatened on account of pollution from the land and over exploitation of fishes – particularly bait fishes, corals and shells. Coral mining, dredging of navigational channels, destructive fishing practices, coastal development, souvenir collection and blast fishing are other reasons which lead to further problems of coastal erosion. Global factors like greenhouse effect, sea level rise and global warming may also be indirectly affecting the health of the lagoon. Dredging to deepen the lagoon for navigational purposes was carried out in almost all the atolls of Lakshadweep (Pillai, 1983 and 1996). The large number of boats and speed boats which traverse the lagoon also cause the same impact as dredging.

Sea erosion of the islands’ shoreline is aggravated by the removal of coral boulders for use in building materials and cement industry. Erosion also takes place by natural causes like wave action as well as due to destruction of coral reefs. The impacts of such activities need further study.

The use of chemical detergents (cleaning and washing) and the application of artificial fertilizers and chemicals cause leaching of excessive nutrients into the lagoon which results in eutrophication and cuts off sunlight and finally leads to the death of corals.

Plastic dumping is another hazard which kills sea turtles, crabs, shrimps and other crustaceans. Sites littered with plastic and linen trash is a major threat to these islands and strict laws need to be implemented to ban plastics, metals and batteries as waste/sewage disposal in the mainland is a serious issue which needs much attention. An incinerator is installed ‘only’ at Kavaratti for clearing the trash and needs to be distributed to the rest of the inhabited islands (Koya, S.I. Per. com.).

Click to know more:

• Project Abstract
• Oil Spillage
• Pollution
• Coral bleaching
• Highlights of the findings achieved in the project
• Detailed report of work done on the project
• Description of the study areas
• Recommendation including remedial measures
• Impacts of the work on the scientific potential of our country