Topics Covered: Conservation and pollution related issues.
India and Germany sign agreement on ‘Cities combating plastic entering the marine environment’:
Context:
India and Germany have signed an agreement on Technical Cooperation titled ‘Cities Combating Plastic Entering the Marine Environment’ at a virtual ceremony.
Key facts:
- This project is envisaged under the contours of the Joint Declaration of Intent regarding cooperation in the field of ‘Prevention of Marine Litter’ signed between Republic of India and Federal Republic of Germany in 2019.
- The project, aimed at enhancing practices to prevent plastic entering the marine environment, will be undertaken at the national level (at MoHUA), select states and UTs (Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and in the cities of Kanpur, Kochi and Port Blair for a period of three and a half years.
- The project’s outcomes are completely in line with the objectives of Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban focusing on sustainable solid waste management.
Effects of marine litter:
- Marine litter threatens ecosystems and adversely affects fishery and tourism industries around the globe.
- It affects public health with increased concerns about micro-plastic and risk of particles entering the food chain.
- It is estimated that 15-20% of all plastics are entering oceans via riverine ecosystems of which 90% are contributed by 10 of the world’s most polluting rivers. Two of these river systems are located in India, namely Ganga and Brahmaputra.
Sources: PIB.
