'World Oceans Day' Exclusive! ‘I hope we treat our oceans with respect’: Parineeti Chopra

Parineeti Chopra calls herself a water baby. And, why not? Her love for swimming led her to diving and exploring marine life in the oceans. The actress, who has dived in the Great Barrier Reef, is saddened by the plastic 
clogging and acidification. Here, she talks about her experiences diving in different oceans and how these have to be saved from pollution.

When did you discover that you were a water baby?

I realised that when I was very young, and in school. I loved swimming. Although we grew up in a relatively small city, where there weren’t a lot of swimming pools, I enjoyed being in the water. When I moved to Mumbai and began to travel for my work in cinema, I made it a point to dive and experience marine life as well as the water of oceans whenever I got a chance. Let’s say, I grew up to become a water baby!

What do you love about swimming and diving?

It’s so calm and peaceful when you are underwater. It is like you’ve moved to a different world where the pace of life is serene and everything feels renewed. I find it to be a relaxing and energising activity.

What prompted you to do a course in scuba diving?

I’ve always loved swimming in oceans. Scuba diving was just taking it to the next level, to experience what lay below, in deep waters. It is both adventurous and relaxing. So, I decided to learn it professionally.

So far where have you dived?

I have dived in the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean (Galapagos), the Mediterranean Sea and the Coral Sea. I have a limited experience of diving in the Indian Ocean, but I really enjoyed a dive in the Andamans. It’s vast and beautiful, and the colour of the ocean is quite unique.

What kind of beauty do you find under water?

It’s hard to describe in words! You see such amazing colours, shapes and life forms that you didn’t quite believe existed. Life in the ocean is so varied, rich and beautiful that every little detail feels heightened. I only hope we treat our oceans with respect and protect their environment because their depth, beauty and reach sustains life on the planet.

World over there is talk about how the oceans are getting polluted...

That’s happening because we are getting greedier and using more destructive practices to fish, and drench resources from seawater. It does irreversible damage to life and to nature. For instance, the Coral Sea is turning acidic with navigation, fishing and tourism malpractices. It’s time governments, international bodies and common people get conscious about this misuse and treat ocean life better.

You have dived in the Great Barrier Reef, which is polluted by a lot of plastic and is under threat.

The Great Barrier Reef is the most unique and surreal beautiful diving experience I’ve ever had. It’s like a different planet of colours and senses that one can feel there. The plastic clogging and acidification of the Great Barrier Reef is saddening. I have already addressed the acidification of the Coral Sea. I support all efforts of cleaning up this natural wonder, and will step up if needed to advocate and help this cause.