Plastic waste comprises major percentage of debris on river bank and beach: Study

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Major share of debris on the banks of

Karamana river

and on Menamkulam beach comprise plastic waste,as per a study conducted by the participants of a five day National Workshop on Experiential Learning with Indian Educators on

Marine Debris

and its Management’ (NEIEM) which concluded here on Saturday.

A two-hour snapshot study was conducted by the participants of the NEIEM in a 500 square meter bank of Karamana River to gather 1,537 pieces of debris in which 78 percent was plastics. Among this, 32 percent was film plastic, and 16 percent plastic bottles. In another study covering 2000 square meter area of Menamkulam beach, 6,321 pieces of debris could be collected of which 89% was plastics. Plastic collected at the beachside was noted for having 36% Styrofoam and 32% film plastic.

The workshop was jointly organized by University of Kerala and University of Hartford, USA. The participants of the workshop called upon the local authorities to collaborate with the trained professionals so as to plug plastic contamination in water bodies and the ocean. It also featured lectures by experts in the field. Associate Professor, University of Hartford and a Fulbright Nehru Fellow, Dr. Katherine A. Owens talked about the challenges and solutions available in the US and India in managing the issue of marine debris. Another Fulbright scholar from Portland State University, currently engaged in

Sri Lanka

, Katie Conlon spoke on Understanding Waste Trajectories and Stakeholders: Perspectives from Colombo. Former Head of Zoology Department,

Fatima Mata National College

,

Kollam

, Dr. F. George D’Cruz described about the coastal and marine

biodiversity

of India.

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