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COAST GUARD CONDUCTS INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CLEANUP DAY – 2023
On the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day 2023, the Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters North East, conducted beach/coastal cleanship drives, on 16th Sep 23, in the states of Odisha and West Bengal. The beach/coastal cleanup drive was conducted at Paradip, Puri, and Bateshwar in Odisha at Haldia, Frazerganj (Bakkhali), and Kolkata in West Bengal.
International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day is the world’s biggest effort, in which, more than 12 Million people around the globe come together and participate to clean the seas and beaches for a better and healthier environment. This event is conducted every year on the third Saturday of September around the world. Indian Coast Guard conducts International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day every year in coordination with support from various Central and State Agencies, Corporate Sectors, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Inspector General Iqbal Singh Chauhan, TM, Commander of Coast Guard Region North East joined the campaign, at Bakkhali Beach with troops of ICGS Frazarganj, a frontline unit of the Coast Guard. The guest of honour Shri Srimanta Kumar Mali, Chairman of Gangasagar Bakkhali Development Authority, along with the men & families of ICG, students, and the local populace, enthusiastically participated in the event. Speaking on the occasion Inspector General Iqbal Singh Chauhan, TM thanked and congratulated all the participants for volunteering for such a noble cause and contributing to the drive for a pollution-free environment. He said such events, imbibe a sense of commitment and instill in the new generation their role in making the world a cleaner place.
At Kolkata, an event was organised by the Coast Guard in collaboration with the State Bank of India, at Subhas Sarovar, Maniktala, to create awareness amongst the local populace and society about the importance of clean water bodies and surroundings, for a pollution-free environment. Shri Prem Anup Sinha, Chief General Manager SBI, graced the occasion as chief guest. Coast Guard personnel and families, SBI personnel, environmentalists, and concerned citizens joined hands and cleaned the area around the Sarovar.
In addition, the Coast Guard Regional Headquarters North East conducted various events like plantation drives, lectures in educational institutions, Special interactions with fishermen, walkathon, etc. to raise awareness, amongst the public in the states of Odisha and West Bengal.
More than 2500 enthusiastic volunteers consisting of Coast Guard personnel & their families, students, personnel from government and non-government organisations, and the general public actively participated in this mega global coastal cleanup activity. They collected approximately 1500 Kg of litter of marine & plastic waste and spread the message of the importance of a “clean coast, safe sea” and the need for plastic litter-free surroundings for a clean and healthier environment. Indian Coast Guard by conducting this mass campaign has again validated its commitment towards environmental conservation.
