Over 5,000 people, including 3,000 naval personnel and families and 2,000 citizens of Visakhapatnam, participated in a massive coastal cleanup drive along the prominent beaches and waterfronts of the city on the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day here on Saturday.
The cleanup drive was inaugurated by Flag Officer Commanding-in Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht at the Ramakrishna Beach.
Flag Officers and senior officers along with personnel of ENC, Indian Coast Guard along with senior officials of the district administration, GVMC, local NGOs, PSUs, and academic institutions actively participated in the event.
Vice-Admiral Bisht complimented the citizens of Visakhapatnam for coming forward for a noble cause and also lauded the initiatives of GVMC in making the city a clean and green and for getting the Smart City status.
Theme
"Indian Navy has played an important role and taken the lead in organising and coordinating the cleanup drive for the past couple of years. The citizens of Visakhapatnam need to be conscious about keeping the city clean," he said.
a theme 'Fighting for Trash Free Seas', the cleanup drive was also intended to inculcate among the general public, the necessity of keeping the beaches clean and of safeguarding the environment. GVMC Commissioner M. Harinarayanan also witnessed the event and interacted with the participants explaining the importance of keeping beaches clean.
The Consumer Protection Council, Lion's Club of Visakhapatnam, NSS wing of Andhra University, PAPA Home, Century Club, Y's Men Club, HSL Scout crew, Oxford School, Human Rights Association, and children from Navy Children School undertook the cleanup drive.
The event covered large areas widely spread all along the coast of the city and outskirts, covering the Ramakrishna Beach, Tenneti Park, Rushikonda Beach, Kalinga beach and Yarada beach.
Two hundred NSS volunteers of GITAM Institute of Technology’s NSS Unit II participated in the programme at Tenneti park beach along with the Navy personnel.
Two major naval units also undertook cleanup drive near Double Bridge and inside the Naval Dockyard.
