Blue Starts in the Green: Nepal’s Role in the Global Ocean Conversation

RAJU ROY

Restoring River Health as a Lifeline for Ocean Biodiversity

 This year’s theme, "Awaken New Depths," invites us to look inward - and upstream. Nepal’s lush forests, powerful rivers, and sacred lakes are not disconnected from oceanic systems; they are deeply entangled. This article highlights how restoring inland ecosystems can serve as a frontline defense for the oceans — making even landlocked nations essential in the global marine movemen 

The ocean is the blue heart of our planet. It covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface, generates more than half of the oxygen we breathe, regulates climate, and provides food, jobs, and energy for billions of people. Yet, today, our oceans are in deep distress.On June 8, 2025, the global community observedWorld Oceans Day under the theme “Awaken New Depths”- a powerful call for introspection, innovation and commitment. This theme implores us to go beyond the surface in our understanding of and interaction with the oceans - culturally, scientifically, and emotionally at a time when marine ecosystems are approaching irreversible tipping points.

1. The State of Our Oceans in 2025: A Global Snapshot

Despite their vital role in sustaining life, oceans face alarming pressures –a)Ocean Warming- 2023 and 2024 recorded the highest global sea surface temperatures in history. The average rise has now reached 0.88°C above pre-industrial levels. b) Acidification - Oceans have absorbed nearly 30% of CO? emitted by human activity, leading to decreasing pH levels from 8.2 to around 8.1 damaging coral reefs and shellfish.c) Sea-Level Rise - Coastal communities from Bangladesh to the Pacific Islands are already witnessing regular flooding due to rising seas, threatening homes and heritage. d) Marine Biodiversity Decline -According to the IPBES (2024) report, nearly one million marine species are at risk due to habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing.

2. Marine Plastic Pollution: A Crisis Worsening

a) Plastic waste is one of the most visible threats to ocean health. b) Every year, over 11 million metric tons of plastic end up in the ocean — equivalent to one garbage truck every minute. c) Micro-plastics have been discovered in fish, seabirds, whales, and even human organs. d) By 2040, this figure may triple without strong policy interventions (The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2023).

In Nepal and other inland countries, river systems like the Ganges and Koshi contribute significantly to plastic flow into the Bay of Bengal. This underlines the fact that even landlocked nations are integral to ocean preservation.

3. Overfishing and Ocean Economy Imbalance

a) 34% of global fish stocks are overexploited (FAO, 2024). b) Illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing causes an annual economic loss of nearly $23 billion. c) Small-scale fishers, who contribute to half of the world’s fish catch, face marginalization as industrial fleets dominate waters. d) The unchecked exploitation of marine resources is not only unsustainable but unjust, especially for coastal and indigenous communities who rely on these ecosystems for survival.

4. Ocean and Climate: An Inseparable Bond

a) The ocean is Earth’s largest carbon sink and heat reservoir. b) It has absorbed 90% of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions, preventing faster global warming. c) Melting polar ice and warming oceans are accelerating extreme weather events like cyclones and sea surges - seen vividly in the 2024 super cyclone ‘Remal’ that devastated the Bay of Bengal. d) The climate crisis is, by extension, an ocean crisis. Any climate solution that ignores ocean health is incomplete.

5. Indigenous Wisdom and Local Knowledge: Awakening Ancient Depths

a) Communities across South Asia have lived in harmony with rivers, wetlands and oceans for centuries. b) In Nepal, local water management systems like Dhunge Dharas and Guthi-based conservation reflect community-led aquatic wisdom. c) In the Pacific Islands, traditional ra’ui marine zones have long protected spawning grounds and coral ecosystems. d) These ancient systems hold valuable lessons for modern conservation and must be respected and integrated into global marine policy frameworks.

6. Scientific Innovation for Ocean Restoration

a) From satellites to submersibles, scientific advances are uncovering both ocean wonders and warnings. b) Global Fishing Watch and AI-based vessel monitoring are helping crack down on illegal fishing. c) Blue Carbon Ecosystems - like mangroves and seagrass beds - can store up to 5 times more carbon than tropical forests. d) Ocean clean-up initiatives, such as The Ocean Clean-up and SeaVax, are making technological strides to remove plastic from gyres and rivers. e) But science alone cannot save the oceans - it must be paired with political will and public awareness.

7. Youth Leadership and Civic Mobilization

a) Young people across the world are championing ocean literacy, climate justice and plastic-free futures. b) The Youth4Ocean Forum, Fridays for Future and Ocean Heroes Bootcamp are empowering future leaders. c) In South Asia, student-led campaigns are organizing beach clean-ups, river watch programs, and plastic audits. d) Inland regions like Nepal can engage youth in monitoring river pollution, waste management and climate-smart agriculture that indirectly supports ocean health.

8. Awakening from the Himalayas to the Ocean: Nepal’s Role

Although Nepal is landlocked, it plays a critical upstream role in South Asia’s water system:a) The Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali rivers flow into the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin and ultimately into the Bay of Bengal. b) Deforestation, sand mining, and river pollution upstream impact marine biodiversity downstream.c) Thus, conservation in the Himalayas directly connects to ocean health. Integrated watershed management, eco-sensitive tourism, and plastic-free pilgrimage zones can be Nepal’s unique contribution to marine sustainability.

9. International Frameworks and 2025 Priorities

Several global initiatives align with the 2025 World Oceans Day mission: a) UN Ocean Decade (2021–2030): Promoting science-based sustainable ocean use. b) High Seas Treaty (ratified by 93 nations as of May 2025): Strengthening conservation beyond national jurisdictions. c) 30x30 Commitment: Protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. d) Plastic Treaty: On-going negotiations to create a legally binding international agreement on plastic pollution.

Nepal, as a member of the UN and a climate-vulnerable nation, has a moral and ecological stake in supporting and advocating these policies.

10. Call to Action: Charting a New Course

“Awaken New Depths” is not just a metaphor, it is a mandate.Whether we live by the sea or in the shadow of the Himalayas, the fate of our oceans affects all of us. Reconnecting with the oceanic system  through culture, science, and sustainability,  is essential for planetary health.

As a teacher, I believe that true ocean conservation begins not in laboratories or legislatures, but in classrooms. Young minds are incredibly receptive to ideas of sustainability, empathy and stewardship. By integrating ocean literacy into school curricula, even in landlocked regions- we empower the next generation to value and protect marine ecosystems. Activities like plastic audits, nature journaling and river clean-up drives not only build environmental responsibility but also cultivate compassion. We must awaken these depths of awareness early, so that our students grow up not as passive observers, but as active guardians of the blue planet.

In Conclusion, World Oceans Day 2025 is a moment to awaken not only scientific and policy-level depths, but also moral and emotional ones. The oceans have given humanity life, climate stability, and immeasurable beauty. Now, they ask for our voice, our urgency, and our commitment. From the summits of Nepal to the shores of the Pacific, we are bound by water. Let us rise together to protect what sustains us, all the ocean.

(Raju Roy is a Teacher, Secondary Education Department, Govt. of Tripura. Email:rajulive24@gmail.com)