A new hotspot of macro-litter in the Rutland Island, South Andaman, India: Menace from IORC

Abstract

Thirteen sandy beaches of remote Rutland Island were divided into three zones to identify the litter pollution, their source, pathway of plastic transport, to determine the level of macro litter contamination, and its impact on coastal biota. The total area surveyed was 0.52 km2 (5,20,020.79 m2), and the total number of litter items enumerated was 3,17,565 belonging to twenty-seven distinct litter types. The beaches in Zone II and Zone III were clean and Zone I were very dirty. The maximum litter density (1.03 items/ m2) was observed in Photo Nallah 1 and Photo Nallah 2, whereas the lowest (0.09 items/ m2) was observed in Jahaji beach. The primary contributor of litter on Rutland’s beaches was plastics (60%-99%), presumed to originate from the Indian Ocean Rim Countries (IORC). A collective solid waste management initiative by the IORC is essential in preventing littering on remote islands.