India Coast Guard Leads Massive Coastal Cleanup in Puducherry, Collects 400 Kg of Waste

India Coast Guard organised a large-scale coastal cleanup in Puducherry, collecting 400 Kg of plastic waste. The event saw participation from various government bodies, NGOs, and students, aligning with the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' and 'Swachhta Hi Seva' initiatives, promoting environmental conservation and sustainable practices.

The India Coast Guard organized a large-scale coastal cleanup in Puducherry on Saturday, resulting in the collection of 400 Kg of plastic waste for safe disposal. The initiative saw active participation from central and state agencies, municipal corporations, NGOs, fisheries associations, ports, oil agencies, the National Cadet Corps, NSS members, and students from schools and colleges.

The event, flagged off by Puducherry Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan, IAS (Retd), at Rock Beach, aligns with the Government of India's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan' and the Prime Minister's 'Swachhta Hi Seva' campaign. The Indian Coast Guard organized the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 (ICC-2024) across all coastal states and union territories on September 21.

International Coastal Cleanup Day, celebrated globally on the third Saturday of September under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), saw substantial community engagement this year. Since 2006, the ICG has been instrumental in fostering community involvement and environmental stewardship in India.

This year's campaign featured enthusiastic participation from varied government bodies, civil organizations, and numerous local volunteers committed to preserving the coastline. Highlighting the involvement of NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and students, the event underscored the younger generation's dedication to environmental conservation.

The ICC-2024 was a collaborative effort of many civil authorities, including central and state government organizations, municipal corporations, NGOs, fisheries associations, ports, oil agencies, and private entities. The participants worked tirelessly to remove beach litter, focusing on cleaner and healthier marine environments and raising awareness about the importance of sustainable practices and the impact of pollution on marine ecosystems.

(With inputs from agencies.)