Marine litter pollution in inhabited and uninhabited Lakshadweep islands, Indian Ocean.

The Lakshadweep archipelago, located in the Arabian Sea off India's southwestern coast, is renowned for its rich biodiversity and vibrant coral reefs. However, the region faces a growing environmental threat from marine debris, particularly plastic waste, which poses a significant challenge to its delicate ecosystem. To identify potential sources of pollution, we assessed environmental quality and ecological risk using indices such as the Clean Coast Index (CCI), Plastic Abundance Index (PAI), and Pollution Load Index (PLI). We also analyzed the spatial distribution of marine litter on Lakshadweep's beaches and mapped the annual wind direction. The study, conducted across six islands, recorded 3933 plastic litter items, with an average abundance of 0.77 ± 0.33 items/m, making up 82.9 % of the total litter. The high mean values of CCI (17.98), PAI (5.39), and PLI (34.25) indicate severe ecological risk and critical pollution levels along the Lakshadweep coastline, driven by extensive macroplastic accumulation. Furthermore, the study highlights the influence of wind patterns on plastic movement across the islands. These findings provide essential insights for developing effective strategies to manage and mitigate marine litter, contributing to the broader effort to combat plastic pollution in the region.