CHENNAI:
Cyclone Ockhi has affected the marine biodiversity of Lakshadweep and washed up 80 tonne of plastic debris on the western coast of the country, minister of state in the ministry of environment, forest and climate change
Mahesh Sharma informed the
Lok Sabha on Friday.
"Due to intense wave activity, a number of coral associated organisms such as sea cucumber, starfish, stone fish, puffer fish, seaweeds, seagrass were found dead along the coast. Extensive damage to the mussel beds were also recorded along rocky coastal stretches of
Kerala," he responded when asked about the details of animals affected.
Similarly, the very severe cyclonic storm has left agglomeration of plastic debris, which were dumped in the ocean, along the coasts of Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa and Gujarat. "The impact in other coastal states was relatively less compared to Maharashtra," he said
When asked about emergency plan to tackle the issue of waste accumulation on the beaches, Sharma said clearance of such accumulated plastic debris is being managed by the respective state governments and Union territories.
"The government has initiated various measures for conservation and management of marine biodiversity. They include demarcation of marine protected areas, prevention of untreated effluent discharge and solid waste, particularly plastics, into sea," he said.
Lakshadweep 
