Policy Framework for Mitigating Land-Based Marine Plastic Pollution in the Gangetic Delta Region of Bay of Bengal- A Review

Abstract The rapid increase of the usage of plastic products in the modern era and lack of adequate waste management policies has led to their accumulation in the rivers beds and oceans posing severe threat to wildlife and human food chain. Bay of Bengal is the largest marine ecosystem with rich fauna of marine inhabitants and is hugely exploited by the plastic litter draining through the rivers Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna flowing through both India and Bangladesh. The question to be answered in this region is how to tackle the issue of marine plastic pollution with the aid of apt scientific findings and policy frameworks. Possible answers to these questions are being attempted in the present work by reviewing and evaluating the existing knowledge in science and law in both the countries to curb the menace of plastic in the Gangetic Bay of Bengal region. The review critically analyses the ill-effects of plastics on marine organisms globally and individuals residing on the coastal areas adjoining Bay of Bengal region. Further, the study finds that implementation of stringent laws and strengthening legal measures, in-depth understanding of the marine litter (plastics), robust waste management strategies, and spontaneous public involvement are mandatory to minimize the adverse effects of land-based plastics in this region of both the countries. The study hints out at a number of probable opportunities for the policy makers, environmentalists and marine biologists to work on for solving the plastic litter problem by adopting a holistic approach. The review finally concludes with the extensive research efforts needs to be carried out by an interdisciplinary approach and implications towards consumer driven changes which can create a safer environment for human race and marine organisms to survive.