The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), The Habitats Trust and HCL Foundation signed a MoU

Current Context: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Habitats Trust and HCL Foundation on September 19, 2024, at the ICG Headquarters in New Delhi.

• This partnership aims to address critical marine and coastal conservation challenges by combining scientific expertise, operational capacity, and community involvement.
• Key initiatives under this collaboration include:
• Ghost Net Removal: Tackling the issue of discarded fishing nets that harm marine ecosystems.
• Mapping and Classifying Ghost Gear Aggregation Areas: Prioritizing clean-up efforts in regions most affected by ghost gear.
• Surveys in Ecologically Sensitive Regions: Monitoring and protecting biodiversity in vulnerable marine habitats.
• Community Involvement: Engaging coastal communities in conservation activities to promote stewardship of marine ecosystems.

Question:

1 What is the primary goal of the MoU signed between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), The Habitats Trust, and HCL Foundation?

• A) To enhance maritime security
• B) To address marine and coastal conservation challenges
• C) To promote international trade
• D) To develop new fishing technologies

Answer: B) The MoU aims to tackle critical marine and coastal conservation challenges by combining scientific expertise, operational capacity, and community involvement.