India Decentralises Highway Project Prioritisation For Faster Growth
A recent fire on Minicoy island has exposed a critical ecological crisis, with approximately 4,000 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste accumulated across the pristine archipelago. This alarming pile-up, including plastics and e-waste, threatens the delicate coral reefs and marine life, directly impacting the livelihoods of island residents. The incident underscores urgent calls for sustainable waste management solutions amidst the Union government’s push for global beach tourism.
The noxious black clouds that recently shrouded northern Minicoy, suffocating residents, were a stark indicator of a deeper environmental catastrophe. Close to the beach, a smouldering secret revealed years of accumulated non-degradable waste, culminating in a massive fire akin to past urban dumping ground incidents. The week-long emission of black smoke polluted the atmosphere, while watery effluents leached into coral reefs, accelerating the bleaching process and posing an unprecedented threat to the fragile marine ecosystem.
This extensive waste accumulation, sprawling over 1,500 square metres on Minicoy alone, comprises a diverse array of non-degradable materials, from plastic bags and e-waste to refrigerators, discarded beds, and old fishing nets. Shockingly, this environmental burden is not confined to Minicoy, the second-largest island in the 36-island archipelago, but is prevalent across other islands, systematically destroying vital lagoons and water bodies. Official data from the department of forest and environment reveal the staggering 4,000 tonnes of dry waste awaiting transportation to the mainland.
The unfolding ecological disaster coincides with the Union government’s strategic promotion of Lakshadweep as a premier global beach tourism destination, positioning it as an alternative to other island nations. This juxtaposition highlights a critical disconnect: the push for tourism without a fully robust and sustainable waste management model risks undermining the very pristine environment that attracts visitors. Residents voice concerns that dry waste reaching lagoons with high tides is imperilling marine organisms, including sea cucumbers, and turning clear waters turbid.
The challenge is multi-faceted, compounded by the constant influx of dry waste, including electronic items, washing ashore with ocean currents, in addition to locally generated refuse. The absence of a functional local body system in Lakshadweep since 2021, with executive officers now overseeing waste management, has reportedly led to inefficiencies in collection and segregation. Locals lament the haphazard disposal, questioning the logic of promoting tourism without foundational environmental safeguards, such as advocating for mangroves over seawalls for soil protection.
As the National Green Tribunal monitors waste management in the Union Territory, the administration is preparing to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to secure a comprehensive solution for waste segregation and transportation. Transporting waste to the mainland remains a significant logistical and financial hurdle, with many ship operators reluctant or charging exorbitant fees. The limited window of four to five months outside the monsoon season for transportation further exacerbates the problem, demanding innovative and sustainable long-term strategies to preserve this unique and vulnerable island ecosystem.
