KARNATAKA ECO RESTORATION SOCIETY

Karnataka is one of the coastal states of India. Bordering the Arabian Sea on the south-western coast of India, it has a coastline of about 320 km. The coastal region of the State is spread over three coastal districts, namely Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. In order to prevent plastic waste from entering the seas through rivers, reduce plastic waste in water systems, restore coastal and marine ecosystems and create sustainable livelihoods through a circular economy, the State Government announced the Marine (Blue) Plastic Management Scheme with World Bank assistance.

The core objective of the project is to promote sustainable, effective and productive use of Karnataka's coastal and marine areas while conserving ecosystems, reducing conflicts and strengthening coastal governance.

The project adopts a ridge-to-reef ecosystem approach covering forests, rivers and coasts through activities such as blue carbon restoration, biodiversity conservation, waste management, eco-tourism, plastic interception, turtle conservation and capacity building.

The project will be implemented through the Departments of Forest, Ecology and Environment, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Urban Development, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, and Tourism.