The Lakshadweep Islands, a delicate chain of coral atolls in the Arabian Sea, are experiencing growing environmental pressure as tourism expands and waste generation increases. One of the most urgent concerns is the rise of microplastic pollution, which is closely linked to tourism activities such as resort operations, recreational boating, packaged goods consumption, and inadequate waste disposal. This paper explores the ways in which tourism contributes to the spread of microplastics across the islands’ marine environment and examines the resulting ecological and socio-economic impacts.
The study draws on peer-reviewed scientific research, government documents, and official project reports to present an evidence-based analysis. Ecologically, microplastics threaten coral reef health, reduce water quality, and pose risks to reef fish and other marine organisms that form the basis of Lakshadweep’s food security and biodiversity. Socio-economically, pollution undermines the islands’ reputation as a pristine tourist destination and places additional pressure on local waste management systems, which are already limited by geographic isolation and minimal land availability.
This paper also evaluates the European Union SWITCH-Asia initiative, the ‘Prevention of Marine Litter in the Lakshadweep Sea (PROMISE)’ project, as a potential model for sustainable intervention. The project introduced capacity-building programs, circular economy awareness, and community-focused waste reduction initiatives. While PROMISE achieved measurable progress in stakeholder engagement and pilot-level waste reduction, several structural limitations remain. These include inconsistent monitoring, fragmented policy implementation, and a waste management system heavily dependent on transporting refuse to the mainland.
Overall, the study highlights the urgent need for an integrated governance framework that aligns tourism development with marine conservation. A multi-level strategy, combining prevention at the source, long-term ecological monitoring, improved waste logistics, and active community participation, is essential to protect Lakshadweep’s fragile ecosystems and secure sustainable livelihoods for its residents.