KOCHI: Under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), and the Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Indian Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 4 (Keralam & Mahe) conducted a major mega coastal cleanup drive across prime coastal stretches on September 19, 2026, marking International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day. Celebrated globally on the third Saturday of September to combat marine pollution and safeguard ocean ecosystems, the massive drive spanned crucial beach belts across Kerala, including Kovalam, Fort Kochi, Puthuvypeen, Kuzhuppilly, and Kozhikode. The initiative mobilized more than 1,000 active volunteers—comprising Coast Guard personnel and families, state and central government officials, students, NGOs, Kerala Police personnel, and corporate partners such as Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), DP World, and Bisleri—resulting in the collection of 3,000 kilograms of plastic trash and marine waste, which was systematically handed over to local municipal authorities for eco-friendly recycling and safe disposal.
The flagship cleanup drive at Fort Kochi beach was officially inaugurated by Adv. V.K. Minimol, Mayor of Cochin Corporation, alongside prominent dignitaries including local MLA Mohammed Shiyas, T. Kabilan (IDS, IFA Southern Naval Command), Dr. R.S. Maheshkumar (Head, CMLRE), Mattancherry ACP Shri Ajith Kumar, and Fort Kochi Councilor Mrs. Shiny Mathew. Simultaneously, at Kovalam beach, Indian Coast Guard Station Vizhinjam conducted the drive in collaboration with the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS), formally launched by Dr. Reji Srinivas from NCESS. At Kuzhuppilly beach, former Indian Volleyball team captain and Arjuna Awardee Tom Joseph graced the campaign as the Chief Guest, while local Vypin MLA Tony Chammany inaugurated the cleanup operations at Puthuvypeen beach. Further north, Kozhikode Corporation Mayor O. Sadasivan flagged off the drive at Kozhikode beach, organized and executed by Indian Coast Guard Station Beypore. Beyond trash removal, the comprehensive drive served as an educational awareness campaign, highlighting the critical imperative of eliminating plastic pollution to protect marine living resources and foster sustainable coastal ecosystems for future generations.
