India’s rich nautical legacy and contributions from maritime industries underline the importance of safeguarding marine resources, maintaining environmental balance, and assuring their long-term use. Today, overexploitation and pollution pose rising dangers to marine biodiversity, mineral riches, fisheries, and maritime routes. To address these issues, critical legislation such as the Environmental Protection Act, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules, fossil fuel exploitation rules, and marine fishery laws are in place.
The aim of this article is to emphasise the importance of protecting marine resources, explain the legal frameworks that protect them, and increase public understanding of the maritime environment. Effective enforcement and citizen participation are required to preserve the long-term viability of these critical resources.
Marine resources refer to all natural and biological resources found in the sea and coastal areas. These resources include not only fish and minerals, but the entire marine environment and its constituent parts. This richness is critical not only for food supply and industry, but also for the country’s economic, environmental, and security needs.
1.Marine biodiversity: The waters are home to numerous species, including coral reefs, fish, marine plants, turtles, dolphins, and whales. This biodiversity is vital for maintaining environmental balance.
2. Source of food and livelihood: Fishing is a source of income for millions of people in India. Fish, crabs, prawns, and other marine items are in high demand both domestically and internationally.
3. Minerals and Energy Resources: The seafloor contains oil, natural gas, salt, and minerals. These resources are critical to the nation’s energy security.
4. Maritime Trade and Transportation: Approximately 95% of India’s overseas trade is conducted via marine channels. Goods are imported and exported through ports, which contribute greatly to economic growth.
5. Tourism & Recreation: Beaches in Goa, Kerala, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and other locations are popular tourist destinations, creating local jobs and economic activity.
6. Role in Climate Balance: Oceans absorb CO2 and govern the climate. They serve as a natural buffer against climate change.
• Marine pollution: Industrial effluent, plastic, and oil spills have major consequences on biodiversity.
• Overfishing: Fishing during prohibited periods and the usage of modern nets deplete fish stocks.
• Climate change: Rising water temperatures, sea level rise, and biodiversity migration all pose dangers.
• The impact of mineral extraction and tourism: Illegal mining, cruise tourists, and marine transport all harm the marine ecosystem.
• Lack of sustainability: Unrestricted use of marine resources jeopardises future food security and environmental stability.
Environmental Protection Act of 1986: Controls maritime pollution and conserves biodiversity.
The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: Contamination control boards oversee wastewater and water contamination.
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) for 2019: Limits development in coastal areas while protecting the environment.
Fisheries laws: Control fishing bans, licensing, and sustainable fishing methods.
Indian Coast Guard: Maintains marine security and monitors unlawful fishing and intrusions.
Marine biodiversity policy: Maps, conserves, and promotes the sustainable use of biodiversity.
1.Avoid pollution:
Pollution, particularly from plastic and chemical waste, poses the most serious danger to marine resources. Littering on beaches, oil spills from transportation, and industrial pollution entering waterways are extremely damaging. Citizens should maintain cleanliness, decrease their usage of plastic, and ensure adequate trash management.
2. Local awareness:
Coastal towns, particularly fishing communities, rely directly on marine resources. Raising knowledge about conservation, sustainable fishing, waste management, and environmentally friendly livelihoods can make a substantial contribution to maritime resource protection.
3.School awareness programs:
Future generations must become more sensitive to marine protection. Incorporating information about the sea and its resources into school curricula, essays, art, and projects can encourage inquiry and accountability. Awareness raised in classrooms has a long-term impact.
4. Volunteer participation:
NGOs, voluntary organisations, and local communities can all play an important role in coastal protection. Beach cleaning campaigns, tree planting initiatives, biodiversity protection programs, and community training can all help to effect positive change. Citizens should be actively involved in such activities.
5. Compliance with legislation:
Enforcing maritime protection legislation is crucial. Reporting unlawful fishing, coastal devastation, and polluting companies promptly ensures that the law is successfully enforced, and residents must support this.
Protecting marine resources is critical for achieving environmental balance and sustainability. Indian legislation such as the Environmental Protection Act and CRZ restrictions are critical for maintaining seas and marine habitats, but their performance is dependent on enforcement, public awareness, and active citizen engagement.
This article, written by Adv. Abdul Mulla, seeks to highlight these issues. Platforms that address environmental and maritime law issues, such as www.asmlegalservices.in and www.lifeandlaw.in, also provide insights and legal perspectives.
Adv. Abdul Mulla (Mob. No. 937 007 2022) is a seasoned legal professional with over 18 years of experience in advocacy, specializing in diverse areas of law, including Real Estate and Property Law, Matrimonial and Divorce Matters, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Will and Succession Planning. read more….
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