Mangaluru: Coast Guard Karnataka, Coastal Security Police (CSP), various organisations and educational institutes came together to conduct International Coastal Cleanup across coastal Karnataka on Saturday, September 1.
Deputy Inspector General KR Suresh, TM, the Commander Coast Guard District (Karnataka) informed, “Indian Coast Guard has been coordinating and participating in the International Coastal Cleanup for many years. This time, we have also started Swachh Sagar Abhiyaan to encourage the concept of clean seas in line with Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan”.
At Mangaluru, the cleanship drive was conducted at Panambur Beach. Besides Commander Coast Guard District (Karnataka), Dr. KG Jagdeesha, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada, Mohammad Nasir, Commissioner, Mangaluru City Corporation, Kavita Sanil, Chairman, Public Health Education and Social Justice and Raghuveer, Corporator graced the occasion. The event was attended by 650 (approx) students and volunteers. Students from Mahesh PU College, Vidyadayinee English Medium School, MV Shetty College, Canara College, Pana PU College, St. Agnes College, Beary’s Public School, HPS Baikampady, Government High School, Govinda Dasa College and Shri Gokarnatheshwara College participated. NCC Cadets and volunteers from Rotary Club, CSP, Corporation Bank, Syndicate Bank, TOLIC (Town Official Language Implementation Committee) and various NGOs also participated. The event was sponsored by MRPL, IOC, SBI, BPCL, BASF India Ltd, Lions Club, Syndicate Bank, Corporation Bank, Vijaya Bank, Hotel Ocean Pearl and Security and Intelligence Services Pvt Ltd. To inculcate the esprit-de-corps in sync with Swachh Sagar Abhiyaan, on the spot Slogan Competition was held. A special prize for the best participant of the cleanship drive was also given.
At Karwar, the coastal cleanship drive was conducted at Tagore Beach. Besides Coast Guard personnel, SS Nakul, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Karwar, Shivannand Karale, Assistant Commissioner, Karwar and VR Agarwal, President and Unit Head, Grasim Industries Ltd were present. The event was attended by 550 (approx) students and volunteers from Government Polytechnic, St. Michael Convent School, Dept. of Post Graduate Studies, Karnataka University, Divakar College, Government Arts and Science College, staff of Grasim industries, City Municipal Council and CSP, Karwar.
Simultaneously, the cleanship drive was conducted at Malpe Beach by the joint participation of Coast Guard Karnataka and CSP, Udupi. 300 (approx) students and volunteers from First Grade College, PU College, Malpe, PU College, Kiduru, and NCC Udupi. The event was sponsored by Tebma Shipyard, Nandini Milk, Radha Medicals, Aastik Sangh, Fishing Union, Malpe and Beach Development Committee, Malpe.
The participants of the cleanship drive were enthusiastic and collected garbage from the beaches. The garbage mainly consisted of waste material washed ashore by sea waves, plastic bottles, polythene bags, wrappers etc.
The main aim of the International Coastal Cleanup, Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan and Swachh Sagar Abhiyaan is the cleanliness of the country and the earth by sensitising the people not to throw garbage and pollutants over land as well as in the sea.
