THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city was witness to a unique conference the other day, one to protect the ocean wealth. An ocean conference was held where the looming threats of plastic in the ocean and its detrimental effects on the marine wealth were discussed. Organised by the UDS Group of Hotels in association with Bond Safari, the programme was held to mark World Oceans Day.
A total of 200 people attended the conference, including school representatives. The programme had several speakers from various organisations deliver talks on the issue with examples. A pledge was also taken.
The UDS has said that it has taken a decision to remove 90 per cent plastic from the hotel within 60 days and that will be free from plastic soon.
Bond Safari also launched their new logo as planet ocean foundation at the programme. The organisation is planning to make this a national conference starting next year. In April last year, the first step to address the issue was taken when a conference was held underwater where five corporates took a pledge to save the ocean. A mass cleaning of beaches was conducted last year on June 8.
K R Jyothilal, principal secretary, Department of Fisheries; L P Chither, director of Suchitwa Mission; A Bijukumar, dean of Science, University of Kerala; V K Varghese, the commandant and Commanding Officer, Indian Coast Guard, Thiruvananthapuram and Lind John, principal scientific officer, Kerala State Biodiversity Board spoke on the occasion. A presentation on the issue will be given to a minimum of 50 schools by 2019 thereby spreading the awareness to the school children and fishermen community.