New Delhi- To strengthen efforts towards marine conservation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two key environmental nonprofits – The Habitats Trust and the HCL Foundation.

As per the agreement, the partnership aims to implement various critical conservation initiatives. The strategic partnership will help in addressing the problem of discarded fishing nets, which significantly harm marine ecosystems. It will also help in mapping and classifying ghost gear aggregation areas to enhance knowledge about the regions most affected by ghost gear and for effective clean-up efforts.

The MoU also states that the partnership will focus on vulnerable marine habitats and promote community involvement in conservation activities.

Deputy Director General (Operations & Coastal Security) Inspector General (IG) Anupam Rai highlighted the importance of the initiative and stated that it is a critical step towards ensuring the health of coastal ecosystems, which are the source of both biodiversity and the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The signing ceremony of the MoU took place at ICG Headquarters, New Delhi on September 19. The Deputy Director General (Operations & Coastal Security) Inspector General (IG) Anupam Rai, Director of HCL Foundation Dr. Nidhi Pundhir and Head of The Habitats Trust Mr. Rushikesh Chavan signed the agreement.