Port Blair, Sep 18: The Andaman Helping Hands, A&N Islands (AHHANI) has conducted the Swachh Sagar Abhiyan at two different places on 17th September 2022 in collaboration with District Administration, South Andaman, Port Blair Municipal Council (PBMC), The Directorate of Information Publicity and Tourism (IP&T), Swachh Andaman Abhiyaan with Friends (SAAF) and Allu Arjun Army Andaman (AAAA) Team at Prem Nagar Sea Shore near Murdaghat, Ward No. 07 and FLC Jetty, Junglighat, Ward No.14 respectively on 17-09-2022 on the occasion of International Coastal Clean-Up Day.
During the drive, 43 Volunteers participated with a futuristic thought and a total of 37 bags of garbage were collected from Prem Nagar Sea Shore (Ward No.07), which consisted of all types of mixed garbage like plastics materials, Alcoholic bottles, Juice bottles, Water bottles, Gutka wrappers and plastic bags followed by Plastic Fish baskets, waste Fishing Nets, etc and additionally, 1000 and above plastic bottles were collected from that sewage cum sea shore area.
17 volunteers including PBMC staff participated after the completion of 1st event. Thereafter joined here and a total of 09 bags of garbage were removed from FLC Jetty, Junglighat (Ward No.14), which consisted of all types of mixed garbage like plastics materials, Alcoholic bottles, Juice bottles, Water bottles, Gutka wrappers and plastic bags followed by Plastic Fish baskets, waste clothes, etc. Accordingly, the same has been segregated during this drive by the entire team of the respective area and handed over to PBMC for further necessary action.
Many depend upon the fishing sector for their primary source of income in these islands and many wanted good protein food for better health, its only gets from fish and meat products. When COVID-19 broke out in 2019, doctors are advised that protein-rich food gives us immunity for fighting SARSCOV-2. Though, every individual has to ensure not to throw garbage into the sea and also ensure proper use of dust bins and segregation of waste at the source.
The Nodal Ministry for eliminating single-use plastic is the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) ensures the task ban on production, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastic bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets is prohibited wef 30th June 2022 in these islands under PWM Rule-2016.
Ocean sustainability is only the path to global prosperity. Cleanliness is the responsibility of every citizen of this country for healthy living and a green future generation.
Volunteers raised slogans with great enthusiasm and patriotism like Swachh Sagar-Surakshit Sagar and Bharat Mata ki Jai at end of the event.
AHHANI thanked Mr. B Rudraiah, Sanitary Inspector, PBMC, Ward No. 07 & 14 respectively and A. Jesu Raj, Section Incharge, Ward No.14 (Dairy Farm) for their participation and support. We always need these kinds of support from both in the future. Andaman Helping Hands extends heartfelt gratitude to PBMC for providing vehicle facilities for the removal and disposal of the accumulated garbage.
