Editorial: Rediscovering the Bay of Bengal

29 Sep 2022 Editorial: Rediscovering the Bay of Bengal

Posted at 15:26h in Daily current-affairs by sharad 0 Comments

0 Likes

Source: The Hindu

News: Launch of Center for Bay of Bengal Studies (CBS) at Nalanda University by Narendra Modi.

Importance of Bay of Bengal:

Major commercial hub as it connects east and west in terms of trade and culture.
Bay is key for economic and energy security in the Indo-Pacific region due to sea lanes of communication present in this region.
It offers an opportunity for regional co-operation for the ecological exploration of marine and energy resources.
Diverse geographical characteristics of Bay due to partially enclosed seas, some of the world’s largest river flows into the bay.
Assist ecology and the fishing sector as it supports many rare and endangered marine species and mangroves leading to a biodiverse marine environment.

Reasons responsible for strain in Bay’s environment:

Geopolitical unrest: Due to expansion of political and economic rivalry of major powers in the region.
Deterioration of the Bay due to environmental exploitation through operational discharge from feeder ships, shipping collisions, oil spills, industrial waste, pollution, and non-biodegradable plastic litter in the bay resulting in formation of dead zones and excessive threat to mangrove trees.

Initiative taken by Government:

Opening of Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies (CBS) at Nalanda University for collaborations in diverse areas such as eo-economics and geopolitics, ecology, trade and connectivity, maritime security, maritime law, cultural heritage, and blue economy to generate opportunities for the Bay region.

Way forward:

New partnership and cooperation needed between nautical neighbours as maritime issues are transnational and cross-jurisdictional in character.
Engagement of diverse governments and organizations and enterprises to address interrelated and interdependent maritime challenges.
Expanding regional cooperation for maritime safety and security, maritime connectivity for ease of maritime transit.
Encouraging private investments to boost the maritime connectivity sector.
Standardising and harmonization of data to address non-traditional threats and reduce illicit, unreported, and unregulated fishing.
Littoral governments should mobilise incentives and investments to support and promote skill-building, research, and training in the region for proper management of ocean affairs.

Article: Rediscovering the Bay of Bengal(Rajeev Ranjan Chaturvedy)

Article Link: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/rediscovering-the-bay-of-bengal/article65946257.ece