Lakshadweep’s Plasticdweep crisis, marked by the Minicoy fire and 4,000 tonnes of unmanaged waste, threatens reefs with 66% plastic litter. This systemic failure endangers biodiversity, livelihoods, and tourism, exposing the urgent need for sustainable waste governance in the fragile archipelago.
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Picture Courtesy: DOWN TO EARTH
Fire at Minicoy Island's dump yard in Lakshadweep unleashed toxic smoke, exposing a 4,000-tonne waste crisis dubbed "Plasticdweep."
The term Plasticdweep symbolizes the transformation of Lakshadweep’s atolls into a “plastic-buried paradise.”
It was triggered by the recent fire, where the open burning of a 1,500 sq. m dump yard unleashed toxic fumes, highlighting the archipelago’s waste backlog.
Why Is the Waste Crisis Escalating?
Accumulation vs Management
Lakshadweep generates around 4,000 tonnes of uncollected dry waste (plastics, e-waste) across islands.
Governance Shifts
Pre-2021 panchayat-led segregation worked; post-dismantlement, appointed officers led to rotting waste and unregulated burning.
Survey Data (Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) 2024)
32,710 litter items across 28 beaches- —nearly two-thirds of them plastics. 59% corals smothered (disease, tissue loss); 15% bleaching.
Logistical Barriers
Sea transport viable only 4-5 months/year; monsoons block routes, barges prioritize essentials, private operators charge high.
Tourism vs Ecology
Push for “India’s Maldives” → resorts, seawalls, Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations. Mangroves replaced by concrete, worsening erosion and flooding.
Marine Vulnerability
Atolls lack natural waste absorption. Leachates and plastics directly poison lagoons and reefs.
Global Parallels
PROMISE project (EU-SWITCH Asia) promotes “source-to-sea” solutions, showing that small islands require integrated waste governance.
Ecological Fragility: Lakshadweep is India’s only atoll system. Coral collapse threatens biodiversity and fisheries.
Livelihood & Health: Majority of population depends on fishing. Toxic smoke → respiratory illnesses; microplastics → food chain contamination.
Tourism & Security: Waste undermines eco-tourism narrative, fueling community protests. Lakshadweep’s strategic location near Maldives → Geopolitical issue.
Climate Frontline: Waste stress compounds coral bleaching, sea-level rise, and erosion.
Waste Management
Hire More vessels (RFPs) for regular evacuation.
Reinstate panchayat-led segregation.
Deploy AI monitoring, trash booms (as per CUSAT’s recommendations).
Eco-Tourism Transition
Strict Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) enforcement.
Low-impact tourism models with waste audits.
Link with PROMISE Alliance for zero-waste regional solutions.
Community Engagement
Incentivize sustainable fishing practices.
Public awareness on microplastics.
Local employment in clean-up drives.
Policy & Finance
Update Union Territory waste management rules.
Establish dedicated eco-fund for island clean-up (like Nirbhaya Fund model).
Regular National Green Tribunal (NGT) monitored dashboards for compliance.
Lakshadweep’s Plasticdweep crisis, with 4,000 tonnes of waste and 66% plastics in reef litter, exposes systemic mismanagement threatening its reefs, biodiversity, livelihoods, and tourism future.
Source: DOWN TO EARTH
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. "The 'Plasticdweep' crisis in Lakshadweep is a classic example of an administration prioritizing economic growth over ecological sustainability." Critically analyze. 150 words |
The "Plasticdweep" crisis refers to the accumulation of over 4,000 tonnes of plastic and non-biodegradable waste in Lakshadweep.
Plastic and other waste items are physically entangling with corals, choking them and blocking sunlight.
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles less than 5mm in size, which result from the breakdown of larger plastic debris.
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