World's first cemetery for marine species unveiled in Kerala

The cemeteries here are made of iron frames that raise their heads to the sky and are filled with single-use plastic bottles. This is the most critical message that the cemetery displays in its design—the relationship between marine life and single-use plastic. It also pays tribute to eight endangered marine species or extinct fishes, such as the seahorse, parrotfish, hammerhead shark.

Kozhikode (Kerala): Usually, till date, cemeteries had been built for humans; but, in Kerala, you will now find a cemetery dedicated to fishes. In fact, Kerala has become the first place in the world to have a cemetery for marine species.

If records are to go by, the marine life has been most neglected in our ecosystem, thereby suffering the major blow of climate change over time. Bearing this in mind, a few eco-conscious groups have come forward to build this place, so as to serve as a reminder for people. This cemetery has been built at Beypore Beach, Kozhikode, Kerala, and is touted as the world's first marine cemetery.

It has been built in honour of eight endangered marine species or extinct fishes, such as the seahorse, parrotfish, hammerhead shark, leatherback turtle, dugong, sawfish, eagle ray, zebra shark and Miss Kerala.

The cemetery houses more than just tombs that are made of mud or cement; cemeteries here are made of iron frames and are filled with single-use plastic bottles. This is the most critical message that the cemetery displays in its design—the relationship between marine life and single-use plastic.

The port department also hopes that people will not throw plastic carelessly when they see eight graves made of 200 plastic bottles.

This project led by Jellyfish Watersports, with the support of the Kozhikode district administration and Beypore Port Department, Clean Beach Mission, is driven by climate activist Aakash Rainson.