The Andamans’ once-pristine turquoise waters and flourishing coral reefs are increasingly threatened by ecological pressures, yet local communities continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience. My recent visit to the Islands, as the founder of the youth-led Marine Conservation Coalition of Karnataka (MCCK) based in Bangalore currently working on a documentary about the islands’ marine ecosystems, focused on speaking to the people and institutions working to protect these ecosystems—while adapting to a changing ocean.
I was able to witness firsthand the immense biodiversity the Andamans have to offer with seascapes ranging from coral reefs to seagrass beds—the perfect environment for Dugongs which I learnt about upon my trip to the Islands. Paradoxically, despite being nicknamed ‘sea cows’, dugongs are actually distant relatives of elephants.
From there, I dove into conversations with the community to understand what they feel are the most pressing threats to their marine ecosystem. A fisherman shared, “Before, the sea gave us plenty. Now, we work harder and get less.” This simple truth captures the struggle faced by coastal communities as climate change, plastic pollution, and overtourism put pressure on the ocean.
Monitoring is the first step towards conservation. I had the opportunity to speak with an ANET (Andaman Nicobar Environment Team) member about the cutting-edge technology, BRUVS (Baited Remote Underwater Video Systems) and ARMS (Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures), used to capture fish populations and reef health. This data is able to inform conservation strategies.
Education is also gaining ground. At a recent World Environment Day event themed around beach pollution, students showcased EcoBrick art at the Department of Science—a powerful reminder of youth-led change. Even the rule requiring plastic water bottles to be at least two liters—strictly followed from hotels to street stalls—stood out to me as someone from the mainland, where such regulations aren’t in place. It was a clear sign of how habits are shifting here.
Still, plastic bags and food wrappers persist. My biggest takeaway? Sustainable practices must be embedded into daily life. This includes implementing efficient collection and processing of recyclables, installing rainwater harvesting systems to reduce reliance on freshwater and replacing conventional tourism with ecotourism activities that are less taxing on the ecosystem.
Awareness isn’t enough. As a marine activist focused on youth engagement, this trip reminded me: real change happens when knowledge becomes habit—when cloth bags, beach cleanups, and sustainable choices become second nature for the local community.
By: Aashni Parekh Subramanian, Xll student, Youth Marine Advocate