Plastic waste from southeast Asian countries is littered along several pristine beaches of India’s Great Nicobar island, an environmental researcher said in a report on Thursday that calls for clean-up to protect the island’s marine ecosystem and species. Sahu, who surveyed five beaches on the island’s eastern part, found nearly 98 per cent of plastic litter was of non-Indian origin. “The Great Nicobar island appears to be facing the impact of poor plastic waste management in southeast Asian countries or by passing ships,” Sahu told The Telegraph over the telephone. “Our snapshot survey suggests that the amount of plastic litter there since 2003 has hugely increased,” Sahu said. His paper has recommended “immediate action” to collect the plastic waste in the long-term interests of the island.

Source: The Telegraph October 12, 2019 00:31 UTC