The island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep is facing a severe environmental crisis, with 4,000 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste accumulating and causing fires, which threaten marine life and local livelihoods.

This waste, including plastics, e-waste, and fishing nets, is polluting lagoons and water bodies, endangering marine species such as sea cucumbers and damaging coral ecosystems.

The pollution is not confined to Minicoy; other islands in Lakshadweep are also affected, with dry waste reaching lagoons and water bodies, further threatening marine biodiversity.

Studies reveal that plastic waste constitutes the majority of marine litter in Lakshadweep, significantly damaging coral reefs and impacting marine health.

The accumulation of waste, including plastics and discarded fishing gear, is exacerbating pollution, causing coral bleaching, harming marine life, and leading to fires that emit toxic smoke.

The National Green Tribunal is actively monitoring waste management efforts, while the Lakshadweep administration plans to issue RFPs to improve waste segregation and transportation to the mainland, despite logistical and high-cost challenges.

Efforts to manage waste are hampered by difficult logistics and costs, with the government seeking agencies to handle waste segregation and transportation, but cooperation from ship operators remains a challenge.

Local residents and environmental activists criticize the government for poor waste management and a lack of sustainable tourism policies, blaming the removal of local bodies for the haphazard disposal practices.

Experts advocate for technological solutions such as AI-backed systems, trash booms, and stronger regulation enforcement to combat pollution and protect the fragile ecosystems of Lakshadweep.

There is an urgent need for technological interventions and stricter enforcement of environmental norms, especially as tourism-related construction violates Coastal Regulation Zone norms and worsens ecological degradation.

Immediate, comprehensive action is essential to protect Lakshadweep’s ecosystems, emphasizing effective waste management and sustainable tourism development.

Despite the ecological crisis, the Union Government continues to promote Lakshadweep as a global beach tourism destination, raising concerns about sustainability.