India ｜ Towards Osaka Blue Ocean Vision

Last Update : 2024/07/04

Policy framework

National Action Plan

In preparation

Name:
● National Marine Litter Policy of India and Plastic Waste Management Rules

Brief description:
National Marine Litter Policy of India
Steps towards the formulation of a national marine litter policy have been initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Ministry of Science & Technology, and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D). The MoFAH&D has established a National Task Force for preparation of National Action Plan identifying the actions to be implemented in the coming years. Studies have been undertaken to identify the source to sink of litter, especially the plastic waste that flows into India’s coast and ocean waters. The exercise was the first step towards framing a national marine litter policy with the objective of ocean cleanup, which is in line with UNEP's “Clean Seas Campaign".
The National Marine Litter Policy aims to:

track and monitor litter in riverine, coastal, ocean, and marine ecosystems,
Monitoring of Marine Litter though remote sensing and AI Technique
develop circular economy solutions for preventing marine litter in ecosystems,
implement extended producer responsibility (EPR) to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics with the participation of the private sector, such as the recycling industry and other stakeholders, as well as informal waste recyclers,
implement management and mitigation measures to overcome the impact of marine litter for clean and healthy oceans,
engage in the development of sustainable coastal tourism through the ecolabel certification of beaches to minimize beach litter.
reduce and control the sea based marine plastic litter in the country, especially in the shipping and fisheries sectors in India

Several studies have been undertaken to map the marine litter, which is important to the policy framework. Further, the policy promotes economic, ecological, and public health, driving innovation and technology, capacity building and supporting international cooperation, which are critical components of a sustainable blue economy. Further, several national workshops have been conducted and envisaged involving scientists from different research institutions, stakeholders, policymakers, industry experts, and academic experts to prepare a roadmap for formulating the National Marine Litter Policy and evolve best practices for management of marine litter.

Plastic Waste Management Rules

Land based sources of unmanaged and littered plastic waste are major contributors to marine plastic litter. The strategy adopted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India for reducing land based sources of unmanaged and littered plastic waste, has the following two pillars:

Ban on single use plastic items, which have high littering potential and low utility, and thus cannot be collected, and
Implementation extended producer responsibility on plastic packaging

The following steps have been taken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India:

A country-wide ban has been imposed on identified single use plastic items from 1st July 2022. The ban was notified on 12th August 2021. There is also a ban imposed on light weight plastic carry bags in order to have better collection and reuse,

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging vide Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, on 16th February 2022. The Guidelines stipulate mandatory targets on EPR, recycling of plastic packaging waste, reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content. The guidelines provide for moving towards sustainable plastic packaging and reducing the plastic foot print. The implementation of ban on identified single use plastic items coupled with extended producer responsibility on plastic packaging will reduce pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic waste.

The implementation of EPR on plastic packaging will lead to

reduction in littered and unmanaged plastic waste,
promote circular economy of plastic packaging waste,
promote development of new alternatives to plastics
development of new business models, and
move towards sustainable plastic packaging

The EPR framework under Plastic Waste Management Rules, at present, has around 8200 registered Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners, with a cumulative EPR target of around 2.32 million tonnes. There are 1831 registered plastic waste processors covered under the EPR framework.

The implementation of ban on identified single use plastic items coupled with extended producer responsibility on plastic packaging will reduce pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic waste.

Legal framework

1）The Environment (Protection) Act (1986)

Brief description:
The Environment (Protection) Act was enacted in 1986 with the objective of providing for the protection and improvement of the environment (which includes water, air, land, human beings, other living creatures, plants, microorganisms, and properties) and for matters connected therewith. The act was last amended in 1991.

In order to reduce the land based sources of unmanaged and littered plastic waste following rules have been notified:

2）Solid Wastes Management Rules, 2016

Brief description:
The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, are based upon the principles of circular economy the focus of the rules is processing of solid waste including plastic waste. The Rules mandate specific role and responsibilities of stakeholders including local authorities. The criteria for sanitary landfill sites and solid waste processing facilities including pollution control measures are specified.

3）Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016

Brief description:
The Government of India notified the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016 in suppression of the earlier Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. The salient features of the PWM Rules, 2016 are:

These rules are applicable to every Waste Generator, Local Body, Gram Panchayat, Manufacturer, Importer, Producer and Brand Owner.

Carry bag made of virgin or recycled plastic, less than 120 microns in thickness are prohibited. The provision of thickness are not applicable to carry bags made up of compostable plastic, complying IS/ISO: 17088.
Waste Generators including institutional generators, event organisers are mandated not to litter the plastic waste, segregate waste and handover to authorized agency and pay user fee as prescribed by ULB and spot fine in case of violation.
Producer, Brand Owner need to work out modalities for waste collection system for collecting back the plastic waste in consultation with local authority/State Urban Development Department.
Promote use of plastic waste for road construction, energy recovery, waste to oil or co-processing in cement kilns etc.
SPCB/PCC are the authority for enforcement of the provisions of PWM Rules, 2016, relating to registration, manufacture of plastic products and multi-layered packaging, processing and disposal of plastic wastes.
Urban Development of the State or a Union Territory and concerned Gram Panchayat in the rural area of the State or a Union Territory are the authority for enforcement of the provisions of PWM Rules.

4）The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021

Brief description:
The Amendment notified on 12th August 2021 bans identified single use plastic items which have high littering potential and low utility with effect from 1st July 2022. The amendment prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the following identified single use plastic items:

Ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration;
Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.

The notification also prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than seventy-five microns with effect from 30^th September 2021, and having thickness less than thickness of one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31^st December, 2022. Further, non-woven plastic carry bags shall not be less than 60 GSM with effect from the 30^th September 2021.

5）The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022

Brief description:
Guidelines on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic packaging vide Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022, on 16th February 2022. The EPR Guidelines provide a framework for environmentally sound management of plastic packaging introduced in the market by Producers, Importers and Brand owners (PIBOs) till end of its life in order to reduce environmental pollution caused by littered and unmanaged plastic packaging waste and leading to protecting and improving the quality of the environment. The EPR guidelines stipulate the following mandatory targets for Producer, Importer and brand owners dealing with plastic packaging:

extended producer responsibility,
recycling of plastic packaging waste collected under EPR,
reuse of rigid plastic packaging and
use of recycled plastic content in plastic packaging

The EPR Guidelines prescribes role and responsibilities of Producer, Importer and Brand owners, Plastic waste processors, State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committees and Central Pollution Control Board. The EPR Guidelines provides methodology for fulfillment of EPR obligations. The provision for verification, audit and monitoring of PIBOs and Plastic Waste Processors (PWPs) has also been made.

Indicators

The indicators for reduction in land based sources of unmanaged and littered plastic waste

Solid waste including plastic waste segregation and processing infrastructure
Annual plastic waste generation
Plastic packaging covered under EPR for a particular year
Plastic Packaging waste recycled/processed in a particular year
Reuse of rigid plastic packaging
Use of recycled plastic content
Reduction in use of virgin plastic material – Sustainable plastic packaging
Enforcement of ban on identified single use plastic items

Measures

Introduce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)	Yes
Reduce single-use plastic (shopping bags, straws etc.) by regulations or voluntary measures	Yes
Steps taken/ to be taken towards restricting microplastics in personal care products	Yes
Improve waste management recycling system	Yes
Are there any human-centric, collective efforts/ actions/ practices for sustainable MPL management	Yes
Conduct clean-up activities in rivers/ wetlands/ beaches/ coasts/ coral reefs/ sea floor, involving local communities involving local communities	Yes
Taken/to be taken National Level Action and/or Community Level Action on Clean sea initiatives including ghost net retrieval, ocean-bound plastics etc.	Yes
Created/creating a value Chain opportunity for abandoned, lost and discarded fishing gear (ALDFG)	Yes
Financial incentives for fishers to promote the collection of end-of-life fishing gears	No
Encourage/ Incentivize action by private sector companies to reduce/ sustainably manage their plastic waste (e.g., Fishing Gear) through policies/ regulations (e.g., Extended Producer Responsibility)	No
Do you have/are you building/ are you promoting technology based plastic waste re-use, recycling and recovery opportunities	Yes
Install capturing trap/filter on drainage/river	Yes
Promote innovative solutions (e.g., upcycling fishing equipment, Creating plastic circular economy etc.)	No
Boost multi-stakeholder involvement and awareness-raising	Yes
Share scientific information and knowledge: R&D and monitoring	Yes
Participate in international cooperation through international organizations, multi-national groups, etc.	Yes
Support target region by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: South, Central and Southeast Asia	Yes
Support target region by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: Africa	Yes	Support target region by your international cooperation initiatives/projects: Latin America	Yes

Measures	Achievements
Prevention and reduction of plastic waste generation
Levy of charges/ taxes for single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws)
No
Ban on use of single-use plastic products (e.g. shopping bags, straws)
Names of actions: Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021 Targeted products: Ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration; Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers. The notification also prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of plastic carry bags having thickness less than seventy-five microns with effect from 30th September 2021, and having thickness less than thickness of one hundred and twenty microns with effect from the 31st December, 2022. Further, non-woven plastic carry bags shall not be less than 60 GSM with effect from the 30th September 2021. Directions have been issued under Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to the following: Plastic raw material manufacturers should stop supplying plastic raw materials for the manufacture of banned single-use plastic items. SPCBs/PCCs were directed to revoke / modify consent / registration issued to banned SUP producers. State Urban Development Department has been directed to take necessary action for the implementation of the SUP ban. Separately, customs authorities have been asked to stop the import of banned SUP items. The following online platforms are in operation for effective monitoring of the ban on identified single-use plastic items and plastic waste management in the country: (a) National Dashboard for monitoring of comprehensive action plan implementation, (b) CPCB Monitoring Module for Compliance on Elimination of Single-Use-Plastic, and (c) CPCB Grievance Redressal App.	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Ban on use of single-use plastic products is in practice. Numerical data, if any: Data quantification in progress.
Actions for encouraging sustainable / circular product design
Names of actions: Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 – Guidelines for Extended Producer Responsibility on Plastic Packaging Brief description: The mandatory targets for reuse of rigid plastic packaging and use of recycled plastic content in packaging and steps to be taken towards sustainable plastic packaging encourage sustainable / circular product design and reduction in plastic footprint.	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement of industry towards sustainability and circularity
Regulations on microplastics
In preparation Names of regulations: BIS notification on “Classification for cosmetic raw materials and adjuncts, Part 2: List of raw materials generally not recognised as safe for use in cosmetics” by incorporating non-biodegradable polymeric microbeads in the banned list. Brief description: Ban on the use of non-biodegradable polymeric materials in personal care products from 2020.
Community action on microplastics including individual and wider stakeholder involvement businesses, coastal community etc.
No

Measures	Achievements
Environmentally sound waste management
Enforcement of proper waste management system
Names of actions: Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 Brief description: Enforcement of Rules is done by State Pollution Control Board/Pollution Control Committee and Central Pollution Control Board	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement Numerical data, if any: Data quantification is in progress
Prevention of littering, illegal dumping and unintentional leakage of waste into the ocean
Names of actions: Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Lifestyle for the Environment Brief description: Littering by waste generators is prohibited as per Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 and Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Lifestyle for the Environment" (the "LiFE Movement"). This initiative encourages a lifestyle that focuses on mindful and deliberate utilization of resources and aims to change the present 'use and dispose of' consumption habits. A successful amalgamation of this global initiative with beach cleaning, environmental awareness, and a plastic-free life needs collective effort and robust action by the Pro-Planet People. Segregated waste disposal Beach and river cleaning initiatives Installation of trash booms at rivers and tidal creeks In public places PET bottle recycling machines are installed Patrolling along the beaches to prevent littering and illegal dumping of waste Abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) recycling facility at fishing harbours to recycle plastic waste collected by fishermen to produce a new material used for road surfacing	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement Numerical data, if any: Data quantification is in progress
Are linkages between marine litter and blue economy being studied by your country? Has your country taken any policy/ legal measures to address these linkages?
Clean Seas Program MoES has joined the United Nations on the “Clean Seas Program” to develop strategies for estimating and reducing Marine Litter/Plastic in the oceans, which is also a part of SDG 14. National Marine Litter Policy The NML Policy which is under development, entails development of beaches for eco-tourism, with a preference for clean beaches and 'zero waste' approaches. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) Brief description:Blue revolution involves sustainable and responsible development of the fisheries sector. As a part of Swatch Bharat Abhiyan, support under PMMSY support prevention of pollution of oceans and seas and protection of their ecology (swachh sagar). National Action Plan on Marine Plastic Litter from Sea based sources Brief description:The NAP on Marine Plastic litter which is under development aims to prevent, reduce and control the SBMPL in the country, especially in the shipping and fisheries sectors in India. National Policy on Marine Fisheries, 2017 Brief description:Ensure the health and ecological integrity of the marine living resources of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) through sustainable harvests for the benefit of present and future generations of the nation. The policy highlights marine environment and pollution issues including microplastics and ghost nets. The policy supports regulatory mechanisms to control pollutants from land and sea-based sources which can be effectively controlled.	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement

Measures	Achievements
Cleanup of marine plastic litter
Collection of scattered waste on beach
Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar/Clean Coast, Safe Seas A 75-day citizen-led initiative aimed at improving coastal and ocean health via community action by Ministry of Earth Sciences and information compiled by National Centre for Coastal Research. Beach cleaning activities were carried out simultaneously along India’s entire coastline. The coastal cleanup campaign took place at 75 beaches across the country, with 75 volunteers for every kilometer of coastline. Swachh-Nirmal Tat Abhiyan Brief description: It is a nationwide cleanliness-cum-awareness drive conducted at 50 identified beaches located in 10 coastal states/UTs of India. Blue Flag certification Brief description: Blue Flag certification is a globally recognized eco-label. In India, presently, twelve beaches have been awarded the Blue Flag certification. The solid waste management (SWM) system at Blue Flag Beach enables waste collection, segregation, recycling and disposal. The efforts include managing the generated solid waste in a scientific and holistic manner by installing composting and other methodologies for transforming solid waste into useful commodities. In addition, regular cleaning is carried out to remove small litter materials such as cigarette butts, plastic wrappers, bags, glass, metal particles, etc. with the help of manual cleaning and mechanical vehicles called surf rake.	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement Numerical data, if any: Aimed to reduce about 1500 tonnes of plastic waste
Removal of plastic litter from the ocean
Names of actions: Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar Brief description: Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar/Clean Coast, Safe Sea Campaign, is a 75-day citizen-led initiative, aimed at improving coastal and ocean health via community action. The goals of the campaign include 1) Consume Responsibly; 2) Segregate waste at home and; 3) Dispose Responsibly; which target transformation and environmental conservation through behavior change. Names of actions: Swachhata Action Plan Brief description: Swachha Sagar Abhiyan is a clean ocean mission framework developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and their subordinate research institutions, and studies are being conducted to estimate the level of contamination and understand the effect of microplastics on biota. Names of actions: Coastal Clean Seas Brief description: India is a signatory to the United Nations’ “Coastal Clean Seas” campaign. Regular beach clean-up activities were planned in this campaign for the period of 2018-2022. During this period, National Centre for Coastal Research in association with Indian Coast Guard, other governmental and non-governmental research and educational Institutes cleaned more than 150 beaches. The campaign discovered that single-use plastics accounted for more than half of all plastic waste. Single-use plastics are now prohibited in India as of July 1, 2022. Names of actions: Suchitwa Sagaram: Brief description: An initiative asking the fishermen to bring plastics back to the shore. Kerala fishermen now fishing for plastic to clean up the seas.	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement Numerical data, if any: Aimed to reduce about 1500 tonnes of plastic waste

Measures	Achievements
Promotion of innovative solutions
Policy actions for encouraging plastic alternatives (e.g. biodegradable plastics, circular product design – including use of recycled materials or closed-loop recycling)
Names of actions: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Brief description: Steps are also being taken to promote the manufacturing of alternatives to banned single-use plastic items by bringing in technology and innovations, facilitating credit availability and access, promoting availability and adoption of alternatives, and building capacities. MoEFCC organized an India Plastic Challenge Hackathon in 2021 to develop eco-alternatives Two startups in the area of alternatives to single use plastics were awarded A completely biodegradable alternative to thermocol from paddy straw waste (Parali) has been developed. This innovation will use Parali and also replace thermocol Packaging material from seaweed has been developed as innovative alternative to single-use plastics Governments have been taking initiatives to promote eco-alternatives to ban single-use plastic items, in line with the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) mission National Expo on Eco-Alternatives to single use plastic and start up conference 2022 held on 26th and 27th September 2022 in Chennai. More than 150 manufacturers of eco-alternatives from across the country are participating in the Expo. The eco-alternatives included material made from sea-weed, bagasse, rice and wheat bran, rice stubble, plant and agricultural residue, banana and areca leaves, jute and cloth Self-help groups have been mobilized in the states to stitch cloth bags, and in some cases, cloth bag vending machines have been set up in marketplaces Others Usage of plastic waste in road construction was initiated Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Lab DFRL has developed biodegradable cutlery technology	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement Numerical data, if any: Quantification of data in progress
Public-private partnerships for creating and implementing innovative solution
Names of actions: Ghost Gear Upcycling Brief description: DSM Engineering Materials, a Pune-based company working on converting ‘ghost nets’ collected from the sea into surfboards Already 6000 tonnes of ‘ghost nets’ have been converted, while presently 2000 tonnes of ghost nets are processed annually. Greenwaves Environmental Solutions is collaborating with WWF India on the 'Ghost Gear Upcycling' project. The project upcycles ghost nets into products like bracelets, pouches, doormats, and pots. The concept of upcycling fish nets is aimed at reducing the impact of marine pollution and providing alternative livelihoods for fisherwomen.	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement Numerical data, if any: Presently about 2000 tonnes of ghost nets are processed annually.

Measures	Achievements
Education and awareness raising
Education system and/or curriculum for encouraging public awareness on MPL issues
In preparation Names of actions: National Education Policy, 2020 Brief description: In India, environmental education is mandated by the Supreme Court of India and overseen by the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT). The National Curriculum Framework, developed by NCERT, includes a "Protection of the Environment" component that focuses on environmental education through human behaviour which is directly related to man‘s interaction with the biophysical environment. Environmental education in the student’s curriculum will teach students the importance of following good littering practices. Names of actions: Climate Literacy and Marine Litter Management (CLMLM) Brief description: It is an education and communication campaign. The campaign design provided space for knowledge sharing and community dialogue with a view to developing insights for future adaptation and livelihood action.	Comments: Positive improvement
Awareness-raising campaigns related to MPL
National level: Names of actions: Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Service (BEAMS) Brief description: Under this program, various activities related to pollution abatement, beach awareness, aesthetics, safety, surveillance service, and environmental education, etc., have been done at identified beaches with the aim of achieving international standards for Blue Flag Beach Certification. Names of actions: Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar/ Clean Coast, Safe Sea Brief description: A mobile app called “Eco Mitram” was launched to spread awareness about the campaign and to encourage voluntary registration for the beach cleaning activity. It is the first of its kind and longest-running coastal cleanup campaign in the world, with the highest number of people participating in it. Through this campaign, a mass behavioural change among the masses is intended by raising awareness about how plastic usage is destroying our marine life. A mobile app and dashboard named “SS Sagar” was developed and launched by National Centre for Coastal Research for the beach litter data collection. Names of actions: Swachh-Nirmal Tat Abhiyan Brief description: It is a nation-wide cleanliness-cum-awareness drive conducted at 50 identified beaches located in 10 coastal states/UTs of India. Local level: Names of actions: Versova beach Brief description: The largest beach clean-up program joined by 1,000 volunteers, including local residents of Versova, slum-dwellers, politicians, celebrities, and schoolchildren. Cleanup has been carried out every Sunday for the past several years. Names of actions: Clean-up drive at Andaman and Nicobar Islands Brief description: Clean-up drives and public awareness campaigns were held on the major tourist beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The participants included multiple groups, such as government, non-government and local groups, to engage in concerted beach clean-up activities. International / Regional level: Names of actions: UNEP Tide Turners’ Plastic Challenge Brief description: The challenge is a global initiative to educate young people about plastic pollution. It is developed by the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Clean Seas Campaign, supported by the UK Government’s Department of Environment, Food, and Agriculture.	National level: We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement Local level: We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement International / Regional level: We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement

Measures	Achievements
Monitoring & Scientific research on marine plastic litter
Actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics
Names of actions: Research projects undertaken by various governmental organizations Brief description: NCSCM conducted an extensive field assessment of marine litter and microplastics along the Indian Coast and the oceanic islands NCCR continuously monitors the marine litter in beaches and oceans and working with Cefas (UK), CSIRO (Australia), JAMSTEC (Japan) and Norway towards the development of techniques for quantification of marine litter and mitigation of marine plastic debris. A publication on research work has been documented in Marine Pollution Bulletin, which clearly shows reduction in marine litter after implementation of ban on single use plastics. Copy enclosed. CSIR-NIO carried out research on microplastics in personal care products, organic pollutants such as PAHs and POPs Researchers from various colleges, universities, and other research organizations have carried out scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics Fishery Survey of India (FSI), Govt. of India is conducting regular field assessment of plastic litter including ghost nets at fishing grounds in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In addition, FSI is lead agency in International Maritime Organistaion (IMO)-Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Glolitter partnership project. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)- Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), is conducting studies on various aspects of marine litter, abundance of marine litter in fishing grounds and beaches, developing litter maps, assessing presence of microplastics in oceanic environment and in biological systems	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement
Engagement in international/regional level actions for encouraging monitoring / scientific research on plastic flows and ocean surface microplastics
Names of actions: Promotion of Countermeasures against Marine Plastic Litter in Southeast Asia and India Brief description: The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) implemented a project funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and the Government of Japan in collaboration with local partners such as line ministries, academia, and civil society, aimed to develop countermeasures to reduce plastic waste in the regions of the Mekong basin, the Ganga Basin and Mumbai by conducting surveys and outreach activities. Names of actions: Circular Economy Solutions Preventing Marine Litter in Ecosystems project (CES-ML) Brief description: The National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India in collaboration with the GIZ, German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) is implementing a circular economy project to prevent marine litter in three Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. The project supports relevant regulatory authorities, like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, in developing and using digital technologies to quantify and track marine litter, monitor leakages in the selected ecosystems, and work on implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR). Names of actions: 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations Brief description: The Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and India agreed on an ambitious framework for UK-India partnerships finding innovative solutions to tackle plastic and marine pollution. Names of actions: Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) Brief description: Under the Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP), the UK’s Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (CEFAS) and India’s National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) launched a pilot project to understand deteriorating seawater quality due to marine litter. Under CLiP, the UK has partnered with India for a longer term and channeled its efforts to facilitate the creation of a strong scientific evidence base to bring out India’s National Marine Litter Strategy. Names of actions: INOPOL Brief description: The India-Norway cooperation project on capacity building for reducing plastic and chemical pollution in India (INOPOL) is a part of the India-Norway Joint Marine Pollution Initiative and involved partnerships of key Indian and Norwegian organizations working in the sustainability space to explore various dimensions of plastic and chemical pollution in India, with particular focus on Gujarat, and to jointly develop a holistic action plan for its mitigation. The project aims to implement the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants by providing science-based knowledge and strengthening the local and regional capacity to prevent and mitigate the environmental threat posed by plastic and chemical pollution. Names of actions: IPOI Brief description: The Prime minister of India has instigated the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) during the 14th East Asia Summit, 2019. Maritime Ecology is one of the seven pillars of IPOI and India’s National Centre for Coastal Research and Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services are the identified partners of the pillar. The mitigation of marine debris pollution is one of the focus areas of Maritime Ecology Pillar emphasizing on understanding the magnitude of the plastic marine debris problem in the Indo-Pacific and utilization of regional cooperation to highlight existing best practices, policies, technologies and innovations from EAS countries.	We have seen a positive improvement over the last two years Comments: Positive improvement

Challenges

Recycling system improvement
Proper waste management system (including lack of local capacity)
Lack of financial incentives for waste treatment in general
Lack of financial incentives for technology development
Project delays due to COVID-19

Best practices

National level

The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Lab has developed a technology for biodegradable cutlery. Biodegradable tableware (spoon, fork, spork, bowl, khullad, plate, and teacup) can be used as an alternative to plastic tableware. DRDO & Ecolastic Products Pvt. Ltd. (Hyderabad) have jointly developed technology to make compostable plastics. This technology of starch-based compostable bags/films is being commercialized, and it is competitive and meets the performance requirements of most short-life applications.
National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, has developed plastic films using marine seaweed.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has certified over 150 compostable plastic manufacturers who are producing films, bags, cutlery items, straws, gloves, aprons, thermoformed products, etc. CPCB states that about 3,00,000 TPA of compostable plastics are produced.
Swachch Sagar, Surakshit Sagar: The campaign by Ministry of Earth Sciences includes 75 volunteers, who have been allocated to clean the beaches at every km of the 7500 km long Indian coastline. This is a step towards India’s commitment to protect 30% of its oceans, waters, and lands by 2030 in a phased manner.
Adoption of Lifestyle For Environment (LiFE)
The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, announced Mission LiFE, to bring individual behaviours to the forefront of global climate action governed by a circular economy, which would be defined by mindful and deliberate utilization. The mission plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People," to promote environmentally friendly lifestyles.

Local level

Vengurla model: Vengurla is a coastal town in India where a landfill was converted into a waste management park called “Swachh Bharat Waste Park”. The local communities have practiced waste segregation at the source and have currently achieved 95 % waste segregation. A local body in the town earns Rs. 1.5 lakh/month from processing the generated waste. The park now hosts a biogas plant, a briquette-making plant, a segregation yard, and a plastic crusher unit. The municipal council has installed GPS on solid waste collection vehicles to keep track of the vehicle’s location. This helps to achieve 100% door-to-door collection.
Versova Beach: In 2015, Versova was one of the dirtiest beaches in the world, but is now pristine. This is due to the largest beach clean-up programme initiated by Afroz Shah and later joined by 1,000 volunteers, including local residents of Versova, slum-dwellers, politicians, celebrities, and school children. Cleanup has been carried out every Sunday for the past several years, and about 5 million Kg of plastic waste have been removed.
Waste Management Agency of Goa has set up treatment plants for the processing of non-biodegradable waste.
A Delhi based artist diverted 250 Kg of plastic from landfills and converted waste into art.

Private sector

Private companies are working on the conversion of ‘ghost nets’ collected from the sea into valuable products. A Pune-based company converts ‘ghost nets’ into surfboards, while a Vishakapattanam-based company makes products like bracelets, pouches, doormats, and pots from them. The concept of upcycling fish nets reduces the impact of marine pollution and also provides alternative livelihoods for fisherwomen.
An Indian-based company, in response to the plastic waste crisis, made edible seaweed cups that come in various colours and flavours, from orange to green. The company also produces edible food wrapping and single-use sachets, typically used for instant coffee or food condiments.

International cooperation

India and United Kingdom have been collaborating under Commonwealth Litter Programme (CLiP) on scientific endeavors to share knowledge, techniques and improving understanding of marine plastic pollution.
India, Australia, and Singapore come together to address marine pollution with a focus on plastic debris.
India and Norway to work jointly towards mitigating marine plastic litter and microplastics; issue joint statement.
India and Germany sign an agreement on ‘Cities combating plastic entering the marine environment’
India and Japan have joined hands to fight plastic pollution through data collection, advanced scientific research, and development, which will aid both governments in rolling out helpful policies to address plastic pollution in our waterways.
The Government of India through the Department of Fisheries (DoF), MoFAH&D is participating in the IMO-FAO GloLitter Partnership (GLP) Project as a Lead Partnering Country (LPC) with the aim of prevention and reduction of Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) and in particular, sea-based MPL (SBMPL) to reverse the negative environmental impacts of plastic discard and loss. The project is funded by the Government of Norway, represented by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and implemented by the IMO in cooperation with the FAO.

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