International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024: Indian Coast Guard organises a nationwide campaign

Indian Coast Guard (ICG), in alignment with the Government’s ongoing ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, organised the International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024 (ICC-2024) across all coastal states and Union Territories on September 21, 2024. A large contingent of NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, and school & college students also joined the effort, reflecting the growing commitment of India’s younger generation to safeguarding the environment.

The ICC-2024 campaign was marked by significant collaboration between Central & State government organisations, municipal corporations, non-governmental organisations, fisheries associations, ports, oil agencies, and other private enterprises. This united effort highlights the collective dedication towards marine conservation and environmental protection.

Participants worked tirelessly throughout the event, removing litter and debris from the country’s coastlines and promoting a cleaner, healthier marine ecosystem. In addition to physical cleaning, the event aimed to raise public awareness about sustainable practices and the detrimental impact of pollution on marine life.

Celebrated globally on the third Saturday of September each year under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme and the South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme, ICC Day serves as a critical environmental initiative. The Indian Coast Guard has spearheaded this movement in India since 2006, fostering a sense of community engagement and environmental stewardship.