The International Coastal Clean-up Day this year promises to get bigger, both in terms of the participation and the extent to which the coastline will be spruced up.
Besides clearing the stretch between Ennore Port and Kalpakkam of its wastes, the Indian Maritime Foundation is taking its activity to all major tourist places in Tamil Nadu.
Around 200 km of the coastal belt with over 3,000 volunteers is the proposed plan.
Important tourist places, including the beach stretches in Velankkani, Nagapattinam, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari would be taken up as part of the drive, said Rear Admiral (retired) K. R. Srinivasan, vice-president of the Indian Maritime Foundation, Chennai.
Annual event
The annual volunteer event held worldwide on September 25 aims at cleaning up the coastal stretch by involving school and college students and the local people.
This is besides creating awareness and educating the public to value the coastal heritage. According to a press release, the International Coastal Clean-up Day 2009 in the city saw nearly 79 km of the coastal belt from Ennore to Kalpakkam being cleaned up.
The Foundation is looking for more dedicated coordinators for the blocks as well as support from sponsors to meet the expenses.
The aim is not only to clean up, but enable clean beaches as a way of life, through education and spreading awareness with students, fisher folk, and local administration, he said.
Those interested in enrolling as coordinators, could email to indmarfcb@gmail.com.