Indian Coast Guard organises coastal cleanup in Puducherry, 400 Kg of plastic waste collected

Puducherry [India], September 21 (ANI): India Coast Guard on Saturday organised a large-scale coastal cleanup at Puducherry. As part of the cleanup, volunteers collected 400 Kg of plastic waste and litter for safe disposal.

The event witnessed participation from central, state agencies, municipal corporations, NGOs, Fisheries associations, Port, Oil agencies, National Cadet Corps, NSS, and school and college students.

The event was flagged off by Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan, IAS (Retd) at Rock Beach.

“The event was organised by the Indian Coast Guard in alignment with the ongoing efforts of the Government of India under the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ and in response to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s appeal for a nationwide mass cleanliness and sanitation campaign through “Swachhta Hi Seva,” (SHS), the Indian Coast Guard organised the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 (ICC-2024) across all Coastal States and Union Territories on September 21,” said an official statement.

International Coastal Cleanup Day is celebrated globally on the third Saturday of September each year under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP).

“The ICG has been instrumental in coordinating this vital environmental initiative in India since 2006, fostering community engagement and environmental stewardship,” said the statement.

This year, the campaign witnessed enthusiastic participation from various government bodies, civil organisations, and a myriad of local volunteers, all united by a shared commitment to clean and preserve our precious coastlines.

“Notably, the event saw a tremendous turnout from NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and school and college students, demonstrating the heightened awareness and dedication of the younger generation towards maintaining clean beaches,” the statement read.

The ICC-2024 was made possible through the collaborative efforts of numerous civil authorities, including Central and State government organizations, Municipal Corporations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), fisheries associations, ports, oil agencies, and other private enterprises. This collective action highlights the significant community engagement and support for environmental conservation efforts.

“During the cleanup, participants worked tirelessly to remove litter and debris from beaches, promoting a cleaner and healthier marine environment. The event not only focused on physical cleaning but also aimed to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable practices and the impact of pollution on marine ecosystems,” as per the official statement.