Indian Coast Guard Leads International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 Across Coastal States

September : The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) organized a nationwide cleanup drive for International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 (ICC-2024), as part of the Government’s ongoing ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’. The initiative, carried out across all coastal states and Union Territories, saw the enthusiastic participation of thousands of NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and students from schools and colleges, highlighting the increasing commitment of India’s youth to environmental preservation.

This year’s ICC-2024 witnessed a strong collaboration between Central and State government organizations, municipal corporations, non-governmental organizations, fisheries associations, ports, oil agencies, and private enterprises. The collective effort underscored the importance of marine conservation and the urgency to protect India’s vast coastlines from pollution.

Volunteers worked tirelessly to remove litter and debris from beaches, promoting the message of a cleaner and healthier marine ecosystem. Beyond the physical cleanup, the event aimed to raise public awareness about sustainable practices and the severe impacts of marine pollution on wildlife and ocean health.

International Coastal Cleanup Day, celebrated globally on the third Saturday of September, is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme and the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme. Since 2006, the Indian Coast Guard has led the charge in India, encouraging community engagement and fostering a spirit of environmental stewardship among citizens.