PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, 18 Sept: The International Coastal Cleanup Day was coordinated by Indian Coast Guard with corporate collaboration in the state of Goa on Saturday. It is an initiative of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The event which is the world’s largest one-day voluntary effort to clean the sea beaches is held on the third Saturday of September every year.
The event was conducted concurrently on various beaches in Goa wherein Coast Guard personnel, school children, village panchayats and enthusiastic volunteers joined hands for cleaning the beaches. The Indian Coast Guard has been coordinating the activity in India since 2006.
The motto of the event was “cleanswell”. The objective of the programme was providing impetus to the governments programme “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” and Hon’ble Prime Minister appeal for mass cleanliness through “Swachata hi Seva”. The event also aimed to spread awareness amongst the public, specifically the younger generation about the necessity of the clean coast and the impact of coastal pollution on marine environment.
The main event was held at Benaulim and Bogmalo beach and local populace were impressed upon seeing the importance of clean beaches. During the event the need for taking the social responsibility to save the marine environment for a cleaner world was also highlighted.
