Prepare DPR of K-Shore Blue Pack project to curb plastic waste menace: Eshwar Khandre

Mangaluru: Taking a significant step towards preserving the marine ecosystem and the Western Ghats, Karnataka Minister of Forest, Ecology, and Environment, Eshwar Khandre, directed the officials to formulate a Detailed Project Report of the proposed K- Shore Blue Pack project.

The primary objective of the project is to prevent the dumping of plastic waste into the sea and safeguard the biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

The estimated budget for the Blue Pack project is Rs 840 crore. While 70 percent of the funding would be raised from the World Bank as loan, the state government would bear the remaining 30 percent.

The Minister held a meeting with the World Bank delegation led by Senior Environmental Economist Pablo Benitez.

Khandre highlighted the urgency of addressing the dire consequences of plastic pollution, emphasizing that the plastic waste piled up across beaches have inflicted harm upon aquatic species.

The Minister voiced concerns as 50 tonnes of plastic waste is being accumulated everyday along Karnataka's extensive 317-kilometer coastline. He expressed apprehensions over the harmful consequences of the huge accumulation of plastic garbage on the reproductive patterns of marine creatures, particularly aquatic species like sea turtles, which frequent the shores for nesting.

In light of the harmful effects of single-use plastic on both human health and on the delicate balance of nature, Minister Khandre stressed the need for immediate intervention.  

It was suggested in the meeting that the coastal fishing communities would have to be actively participated in removing plastic waste from the shoreline during their fishing activities.