Mangaluru: Coastal cleanup drive by Coast Guards

Mangaluru: Coastal cleanup drive by Coast Guards

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, September 19, 2015: International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is being conducted to spread awareness amongst citizens about clean coastal environment and cleaner oceans. In 1986, the American Centre for Marine Conservation held the first beach cleanup on the Texas coast with the aid of 2800 volunteers. Since then, the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) is held in the month of September every year and till date approximately half a million people in more than 100 countries have participated in the cleanup.

Indian Coast Guards has been entrusted with the duties to preserve & protect the maritime environment and prevent & control marine pollution. The Service has specialist Pollution Control Vessels and Pollution Control Teams to deal with pollution at sea. Besides, the Coast Guard has been participating in various cleanliness campaigns and conducting tree plantation drives.

The International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) was organized all along the coast across India by Indian Coast Guard in association with various organizations on 19 September 2015. The aim of coastal cleanup is to remove debris from beaches and collect its data to prevent such pollution in future. It is also aimed to spread awareness of cleanliness and prevent ocean pollution. The Coastal Cleanup complements the campaign of Swatch Bharat.

The Coastal Cleanup drive at Mangalore and adjacent areas began at 08:00 AM and lasted till 11:00 AM wherein 2000 volunteers thronged the beaches at Tannirbhavi, Panambur, Surathkal and Malpe. Students, NCC Cadets, NSS volunteers and Scouts & Guides from DPS, Vidyadayinee High School, Government High School Baikampady and Bengre, Government PU College Malpe and Tenkanidyoor, Coastal Security Police, Tebma Shipyard, Rotary Club, NITK, Primary and High School Meenakaliya, Govinda Dasa PUC First Grade College and Canara First Grade College participated in the event along with Coast Guard personnel. The enthusiasm and motivation of the participants was evident. The event was supported by RTO, MRPL, IOC, HPCL, BASF, Syndicate Bank, Bank of Baroda, Tebma Shipyard, Yojaka and Panambur Beach Management.

The participants were guided and assisted by Coast Guard personnel for the collection of debris, its data and final disposal. The participants removed the waste and non bio-degradable materials littered at beaches. The waste mainly consisted of wrappers of food articles and bottles thrown by tourists. The collected waste materials were put in garbage bags for proper disposal. The clean beaches looked more beautiful and serene.

The Coastal Cleanup will spread the awareness for better & cleaner oceans and also is a step towards Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.  This has created awareness amongst people and hope they continue to come forward to keep the coastal environment clean for the years to come.