India Pushes For Global Ocean Pact, Plastic Treaty
NICE, FRANCE (IANS)– India urged swift international action on ocean health at the third United Nations Ocean Conference on June 10, calling for an international ocean pact and a legally binding Global Plastics Treaty. India detailed its significant advancements in deep-sea exploration, marine plastic cleanup, and sustainable fisheries, underscoring its commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
India highlighted the progress of its Deep Ocean Mission’s ‘Samudrayaan’ project, aiming to launch the nation’s first manned submersible to explore ocean depths up to 6,000 meters by 2026. The country also outlined efforts to expand Marine Protected Areas, which now cover 6.6 percent of its Exclusive Economic Zone.
On marine pollution, India reported tangible results from the ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ campaign, which has cleared over 1,000 km of coastline and removed more than 50,000 tonnes of plastic waste since 2022. A draft marine litter policy has been prepared, and India continues to support negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty.
Further contributions to the Blue Economy were showcased through the Sagarmala Programme, which has operationalized over 600 port-led infrastructure projects valued at over $80 billion. The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana has invested $2.5 billion to modernize the fisheries sector, resulting in a 10 percent increase in fish production and the establishment of over 1,000 fish farmer producer organizations since 2022.
Regarding climate resilience, India noted the restoration of over 10,000 hectares of mangroves and implemented shoreline management plans using nature-based solutions. Ocean-based climate actions have been integrated into India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
India’s participation in global ocean governance included co-leadership in ‘Blue Talks’ with France and Costa Rica, active involvement in side events, and the launch of the ‘SAHAV’ digital ocean data portal. Union Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh called for a robust ‘Nice Ocean Action Plan’, urging investment in innovation, swift ratification of the BBNJ Agreement, and the finalization of the plastics treaty, affirming India’s readiness to collaborate for a sustainable ocean future.
