This project is about launching an awareness campaign throughout the whole state of Goa in India about plastic pollution, responsible tourism, protection of the marine environment and of the marine wildlife in Goa

During a minimal period of 6 months, we will do this campaign for locals: in schools, universities, coastal establishments (hotels, restaurants, shacks), tourist operators, state agents (tourism department, environment department, coast guards) and also for tourists: during events (setting up beach clean-up days, eco-responsible parties), in hotels.

Why this project & why Goa?

• Goa is India’s most polluted coastal destination.

• Tourists come in large numbers every year to enjoy the beach, parties and alcohol without necessarily caring about the environment.

• Disposable plastic is part of the everyday life of locals and tourists.

• Abnormally high numbers of endangered dolphins and turtles are stranded on Goa’s beaches, certainly in relation to human activities.

• The locals, especially children, do not have access to awareness about the marine environment, which is very rich in Goa.

• More than 400 dolphin watching boats are present in Goa, almost all of them do not follow codes of good conduct regarding how to approach dolphins.

• In India, much attention is being paid to the protection of terrestrial wildlife. However, very few projects are developed for marine animals and their environment.

• We will train at least one teacher per school and one manager per hotel so that they can continue to make presentations on the marine environment to children/employees and thus keep the project going after our departure.

For this project to succeed, we started a crowdfunding page: Thanks to your donations, we will be able to hire an on-site team of 4 people with experience in eco-tourism, raising public awareness, environmental projects and marine wildlife conservation. The team is made of 3 people from Terra Conscious, already in Goa, and the project leader. This will also pay for all the logistics and materials for the presentations.

Link to the crowdfunding (available until 20th of January 2020):

https://wemakeit.com/projects/stop-plastic-goa-india