Tech CEOs to take a plunge for marine pollution awareness

Sea pollution is rising at an alarming level. Our endeavour is to make the public aware of the dangers posed by littering of plastic.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:The CEOs of five IT-based firms are planning to take their message against marine pollution and global warming to a new level.

They are planning to take a plunge into the Arabian Sea on Monday to hold a 30-minute conference near famous beach resort Kovalam, 16km south of Thiruvananthapuram, and take a pledge to protect the ocean and marine life.

Armed with scuba gear and other gadgets, the CEOs will descend at least six to seven metres into the Arabian Sea to conduct the conference. After the meeting, they will take a pledge and sign a memorandum to protect marine life. They will also release a logo as part of their “ocean love” campaign. The CEOs have been undergoing training for the last one week.

Their underwater conference assumes much significance in the wake of a recent global report that termed seas near Mumbai, Kerala and Andaman Nicobar Islands as the most polluted in the world.

The report also said most of the plastic and other debris in the sea have their sources on the land. Besides affecting marine biodiversity, pollution poses a big threat to people who live close to the sea, said the report prepared by three eminent world bodies.

“Sea pollution is rising at an alarming level. Our endeavour is to make the public aware of the dangers posed by littering especially the unscientific disposal of plastic,” said CEO of Uday Samudra Group Raja Gopaal Iyer, one of the main organisers of the event, who is also accompanying the team during the expedition.

After the meet, details will be posted on the Facebook page of the Kerala tourism department. “I am really excited. I hope such attempts will send a right message,” said Hema Menon of UST Global, one of the participants.

Iyer said on World Ocean Day (June 8), a club will be launched roping in hotels on the beach stretching from Kanyakumari to Kasargode.

“At least 40 hotels have joined the club. We will regularly clean beaches and river fronts,” he said adding that after gauging its success the club will cover the entire coastal belt.

According to a recent report of the World Economic Forum, at least 12.7 metric tonnes of plastic end up in the sea each year and by 2050 there could be more plastic in the sea than fish. Many fish species savour these waste resulting in a plastic tinge in seafood platters.