This case study discusses Sustainable Development Goal 14, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using oceans and marine resources. It highlights the importance of marine ecosystems for biodiversity, climate regulation, and livelihoods in India, while addressing challenges such as overfishing and pollution. Government initiatives and community involvement play critical roles in promoting sustainable practices and protecting marine biodiversity.

1. Title: Case Study on SDG 14:
Life Below Water
Group Members: 1. Kolhe Akash V.
2. Gade Chetan S.
3. Gadakh Sarthak
4. Thorat Om

2. Introduction to SDG 14
 Definition:
• SDG 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the
oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable
development.
 Importance:
• Oceans are critical for biodiversity, climate regulation,
and livelihoods, especially in coastal regions of India.
• India has a vast coastline of over 7,500 km,
supporting millions of people.

3. Key Targets of SDG 14
 Conserve marine resources: Protect
vital habitats like coral reefs and
mangroves.
 Eliminate harmful subsidies: Stop
financial support that encourages
overfishing and habitat destruction.
 Enhance scientific research: Improve
understanding of marine ecosystems to
inform policy and management.
 Sustainable fishing practices: Promote
methods that do not deplete fish stocks.

4. Importance of Marine Ecosystems
 Oceans provide food for billions of
people worldwide through fishing.
 They regulate the climate by
absorbing carbon dioxide and heat.
 Marine tourism generates significant
revenue and provides jobs.
 Healthy ecosystems support
biodiversity, which is crucial for
resilience.

5. Current Global Challenges
Overfishing: Depletes fish stocks and
disrupts ecosystems.
Pollution: Plastics and chemicals harm
marine life and habitats.
Climate change: Leads to ocean
acidification, coral bleaching, and rising
sea levels.
Habitat destruction: Coastal development
threatens vital ecosystems like mangroves
and seagrasses.

6. India’s Marine Biodiversity
 India has a coastline of over 7,500 km,
rich in marine biodiversity.
 Home to diverse species, including
dolphins, turtles, and various fish.
 The Indian Ocean supports
traditional fishing communities and
economies.
 Important ecosystems like the
Sundarbans mangroves and coral
reefs are found here.

7. Government Initiatives
 National Policy on Marine Fisheries: Aims to regulate fishing
practices and ensure sustainability.
 Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notifications: Protects coastal
ecosystems from unplanned development.
 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Designated zones to conserve
marine biodiversity and resources.
 Awareness campaigns: Educating communities about sustainable
practices and ocean conservation.

8. Community Involvement
 Local communities play a crucial role in protecting marine
resources.
 Traditional fishing practices often promote sustainability and
biodiversity.
 Successful community-led initiatives can serve as models for
conservation.
 Engaging youth and local stakeholders is essential for effective
conservation.

9. Case Study: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
 India has established several MPAs to protect marine
biodiversity.
 Examples include the Gulf of Mannar and Andaman &
Nicobar Islands.
 MPAs help restore fish populations and preserve critical
habitats.
 Monitoring and enforcement are essential for their success.

10. Data Representation: Sources of Marine
Pollution in India
45%
25%
15%
10%
5%
Plastic Waste Sewage and Wastewater
Industrial Discharge Agricultural Runoff
Others
 Overview: Pie chart showing the distribution of marine
pollution sources in India.
 Suggested Data Breakdown:
 Plastic Waste: 45% (largest contributor, including single-
use plastics)
 Sewage and Wastewater: 25% (untreated sewage
discharge)
 Industrial Discharge: 15% (toxic substances from factories)
 Agricultural Runoff: 10% (pesticides and fertilizers
entering water bodies)
 Others: 5% (shipping waste, oil spills, etc.)
 Significance: Understanding pollution sources helps in
formulating effective policies for marine conservation.

11. Campaign: “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar”
 Overview: Launched by the Government of India, this campaign aims to
clean coastlines and promote sustainable practices in marine environments.
 Objectives:
 Reduce marine pollution, particularly plastic waste.
 Raise awareness about the importance of ocean health.
 Involve local communities and stakeholders in cleanup activities.
 Activities: Beach clean-ups, awareness programs, and educational
workshops for schools and communities.
 Impact: Encourages collective action for ocean conservation and inspires
grassroots movements.

12. Future Directions and Solutions
 Promote sustainable fishing methods to protect fish stocks.
 Implement better waste management to reduce marine
pollution.
 Strengthen policies to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems.
 Encourage international cooperation for global ocean health.

13. Conclusion
 Protecting our oceans is crucial for environmental health
and human well-being.
 Everyone can contribute to marine conservation through
simple actions.
 Raising awareness and advocating for sustainable practices
is key to achieving SDG 14.

14. THANK YOU