Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

International coastal cleanup day observed by Indian Coast Guard

September 22, 2021

International Coastal Cleanup Day is traditionally held on the third Saturday of September

The Indian Coast Guard coordinated the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2021 (ICC2021) in all coastal states/federal territories on September 18, 2021. In response to the government’s call for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and the Prime Minister through Swachhata Hi Seva to continue their large-scale cleaning and sanitation efforts, the Indian Coast Guard has taken the initiative to expand the waters of India (MZI) through Swachh Sagar Abhiyan.

With the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Coastal Cleanup Day is held in different parts of the world in the third week of September each year. The Indian Coast Guard is responsible for safeguarding MZI’s national interests, including the prevention and control of marine pollution, and has been coordinating this activity in India since 2006. The Coast Guard’s cleanup initiative enables people to play an active role in protection and clean up beaches, which has made an important contribution to protecting the ocean.

With the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the International Coastal Cleanup Day is held in different parts of the world in the third week of September each year. The Indian Coast Guard is responsible for safeguarding MZI’s national interests, including the prevention and control of marine pollution, and has been coordinating this activity in India since 2006. The Coast Guard’s cleanup initiative enables people to play an active role in protection and clean up beaches, which has made an important contribution to protecting the ocean.

The first International Coastal Cleanup Day was celebrated in 1986. The purpose of the day is to raise public awareness of the accumulation and negative effects of garbage on oceans, coasts and beaches. In Trivandrum, the stationmaster and staff of the Indian Coast Guard Vizhinjam cleaned up the Grove Beach in Kovalam. Similarly, the Indian Coast Guard headquarters (Mahe Island and Kochi) conducted coastal cleanup operations with Fort Kochi and Shelley Beach. Participants realized the need to clean the beach to improve the marine environment, a garbage-free environment and its impact on overall healthy lives.