Sri Vijaya Puram, Sep 22: On 20 Sep 25, as part of Government of India’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Puneet Sagar Abhiyan initiatives as also on the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) – 2025, Headquarters Coast Guard Region (A&N), under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), organised a mass coastal cleanup across Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The drive was conducted at Diglipur, Mayabunder, Sri Vijaya Puram, Hutbay, Kamorta, Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay. The coastal cleanup at Wandoor and Corbyns Cove Beach, Sri Vijaya Puram, was flagged off at 0800 hrs.
International Coastal Cleanup is conducted globally on the third Saturday of September every year under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP). The initiative aligns with Prime Minister’s vision of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and Swachh Sagar Abhiyan. Indian Coast Guard has been coordinating ICC activities in India since 2006.
The aim of the event was to create awareness on the importance of maintaining a pollution-free marine environment, promoting Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, discouraging the use of single-use plastics, and highlighting environmental concerns such as deforestation and beach erosion.
The event witnessed participation of around 2500 volunteers, including Coast Guard personnel, school and college students, NCC cadets, NGOs, state department representatives, and environmental enthusiasts. During the beach cleanup, approximately 1630 kgs of marine waste and 1130 kgs of plastic garbage were collected.
