Nationwide Coastal Cleanup Drive Led by Union Minister on Gandhi Jayanti

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will spearhead a nationwide coastal cleanup drive in Porbandar, Gujarat, on October 2. Organized by MY Bharat, the campaign focuses on eradicating single-use plastic waste, marking the end of the 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign. The initiative involves over 100,000 volunteers.

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, is set to lead the nationwide coastal and beach cleanliness drive in Porbandar, Gujarat, on October 2, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti. This drive, orchestrated by MY Bharat, aims to eradicate single-use plastic waste from India's beaches and coastal regions, capping off the broader 'Swachhata Hi Seva' campaign that has been running from September 17 to October 2 under the theme 'Swabhav Swachhata - Sanskaar Swachhata.'

Mansukh Mandaviya's involvement in the cleanup in Porbandar—historically significant as Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace—underscores a strong commitment to sustainable environmental practices. The initiative aligns with the vision of a clean, single-use plastic-free India.

MY Bharat, a division under the Department of Youth Affairs, has taken a decisive role in this year's campaign, promoting youth engagement in cleanliness and environmental stewardship. The campaign will culminate on Swachh Bharat Diwas, October 2, with MY Bharat youth volunteers spearheading a massive coastal cleanup, targeting over 1,000 sites along India's 7,500 km coastline. The drive will focus on collecting, segregating, and disposing of single-use plastics, with over 100,000 volunteers participating.

The Union Minister has reached out to MPs from coastal districts, urging them to engage in the Swachhata Hi Seva campaign. As of September 30, 2024, the campaign has already witnessed significant success, with over 5.6 million MY Bharat youth volunteers removing millions of kilograms of waste across more than 1 lakh villages, over 15,000 community centers, 9,501 Amrit Sarovars, and several historic and public areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)