The Lakshadweep archipelago, made up of 36 islands scattered across the Arabian Sea, is one of India’s most ecologically rich and environmentally fragile marine regions. Its vibrant coral reefs form the backbone of the islands’ natural and economic systems, offering essential ecosystem services such as shoreline protection, habitat support for diverse marine species, and valuable fisheries. These reefs also sustain the islands’ growing tourism economy, attracting visitors who rely on the very ecosystems now under increasing pressure.
In recent years, tourism expansion, combined with limited waste management infrastructure, has contributed to a noticeable rise in microplastic pollution across Lakshadweep’s marine environment. Research by Marimuthu et al. (2022) and Vaid (2021) highlights how plastic debris and its breakdown products are accumulating in coastal and offshore waters, often exceeding levels that coral reefs and marine organisms can tolerate. More recent findings published in ScienceDirect (2025) confirm the presence of microplastics not only in surface waters but also in sediments and within reef-associated species. This contamination threatens coral health, disrupts feeding patterns in fish, and alters the local food web, creating long-term ecological and socio-economic risks for the island communities that depend on fishing and tourism.
Recognizing these challenges, the Lakshadweep administration has begun implementing preventive and corrective measures. One of the most notable efforts is the PROMISE project, developed under the European Union’s SWITCH-Asia programme. This initiative engages local tourism operators, community groups, and government agencies to reduce reliance on single-use plastics, strengthen waste segregation practices, and promote more sustainable tourism operations. While still evolving, the project represents a significant step toward integrating environmental responsibility into the islands’ development agenda.
Against this backdrop, the present paper examines the interconnected dynamics of tourism, pollution, and sustainable governance in Lakshadweep. Using the PROMISE project as a central case study, it explores how targeted, community-inclusive interventions can support broader policy reforms and contribute to a long-term strategy for protecting the archipelago’s fragile marine ecosystems.