International coastal cleanup drive by ICG/MoES at Juhu Beach in Mumbai

By Raju Vernekar

In keeping with the Government of India’s “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” and the Prime Minister’s call for mass cleanliness under “Swachhata Hi Seva”, in a run up for International Coastal Clean-up (ICC), the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), organized the “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” drive at Juhu Beach, Mumbai, on Friday, September 18, 2026.

 The event brought together government organizations, scientific institutions, civil agencies, educational institutions and volunteers in a collective effort to protect the marine and coastal environment.

 Dr. Jitender Singh, The Minister of Earth Sciences graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and led the cleanliness drive. The event was also attended by the T Srinivas Kumar Tummala, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Prof. Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Prof. Shireesh Kedare Director, Indian Institute of Technology Mumbai (IITM), Prof AP Dimri, Director, Indian Institute of Geomagnetism, Mumbai and senior representatives from the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Indian Coast Guard, local administration and other participating organizations.

 International Coastal Cleanup Day is observed globally during September to promote public participation in the prevention and removal of marine litter. In India, the Indian Coast Guard has been coordinating coastal cleanup activities across the maritime States and Union Territories since 2006. The initiative supports sustained community participation, environmental stewardship and greater awareness of the harmful effects of marine pollution on coastal ecosystems, fisheries and public health.

  A total of 500 participants took part in the drive, including personnel from government departments and scientific institutions, members of civil agencies, NCC cadets, Bharat Scouts and Guides, students from schools and colleges and local volunteers. Their enthusiastic participation reflected a strong whole-of-society commitment towards cleaner beaches and pollution-free seas.

 During the cleanup drive, the participants collectively removed approximately 1,000 kg of garbage and marine litter from the Juhu shoreline. The collected waste was segregated and handed over to the designated civic authorities for appropriate disposal and further processing. The activity was complemented by an awareness campaign highlighting the ecological hazards of single-use plastics, indiscriminate waste disposal and the need for responsible and sustainable waste-management practices.

The drive reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Indian Coast Guard, the Ministry of Earth Sciences and partner organizations towards safeguarding India’s coastal and marine environment. Citizens were urged to reduce the use of plastic, dispose of waste responsibly and actively participate in community-led initiatives to preserve the nation’s beaches and oceans for future generations.