In an important environmental case, the Bombay High Court recently took suo motu cognizance on the alarming levels of garbage dumping along the Mumbai shoreline. Acting suo motu, the court followed up after a study by the Central Fishery Research Institute revealed that there existed the presence of micro-polythene particles in the intestines of fish consumed by humans. This case poses concerns related to the increased marine pollution issues, mainly the extensive negative impacts plastic waste poses on aquatic life and public health.However, during the last two decades, gross waste disposal of the plastic type has harmed the coastline and the marine environment drastically. The problem gained importance after the Central Fishery Research Institute undertook the study to analyze the impact of marine pollution on the fish species in the Arabian Sea. The findings of the study were alarming. It showed that a large percentage of the fishes captured in the waters off the Mumbai coast had micro-polythene particles inside their intestines. The minute plastic fragments originate from rubbish thrown into the sea and are consumed by fish and other seafood, which then enter the food chain for human consumption. The presence of such harmful substances in the fish consumed by humans creates severe risks for public health and raises concerns for long-term health impacts. Court's Suo Motu Action After perusing the findings of the research study, the Bombay High Court took suo motu cognizance of the issue, thereby initiating legal proceedings without requiring a formal petition. It was concerned that such rampant disposal of garbage, especially plastic waste, into the sea caused significant environmental degradation. The court opined that the issue was more than an environmental degradation issue because the problem also raised concerns regarding public health by posing risks to human consumers through contaminated fish. Court's Observations The bench underlined the failure of the civic authorities to manage the wastes generated by the city and called for remedial steps to be taken forthwith. It pointed out that despite numerous environmental enactments, the situation from the shores of Mumbai had deteriorated all through these years with the lax enforcement and the non-accountability of the concerned agencies. That further stressed that the issue also results from citizens irresponsible waste disposal, in this case, plastics, that find their way into the sea. It then called for an all-rounded plan of actions including awareness campaigns with the public and strict implementation of the regulations set for people dealing with waste, as well as a heightened effort by the local authorities in cleaning the shoreline and preventing more pollution. Future Actions and Orders The Bombay High Court directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and other authorities concerned to file a detailed report about the status of garbage management going on along the coastlines of this metropolis. The court requested the steps taken to prevent plastic waste from being discharged into the sea and the measures taken to clear such waste already dumped into the sea. The court has also requested the MPCB to keep an eye on the situation and submit periodical reports to the court about the levels of marine pollution with a special focus on plastic waste. Moreover, it seeks the environment experts from the government side to bring in a long-term strategy to understand how it could curb marine pollution and its ill effects on public health.