The Indian Coast Guard (East) and TREE Foundation Chennai organised the International Coastal Clean-up Day (ICC) Day on Sept.16 at Marina Beach.
More than 600 volunteers including – volunteers from Indian Coast Guard, college and school students, National Cadet Corps, and Corporates, participated in the coastal clean-up activity, and collected around 500 kgs of garbage.
Dr. Supraja Dharini, the Chairperson of the TREE Foundation, discussed with the participants the multiple threats posed by plastic waste and ghost nets in our oceans. She vividly explained the dangers these environmental hazards pose to marine life, emphasising how creatures such as sea turtles and marine mammals often mistake plastic bags for their favourite prey, leading to tragic consequences. Many student volunteers expressed their eagerness to contribute to raising awareness about responsible disposal of litter.
International Coastal Clean-up Day is celebrated world over to instil a sense of responsibility among the general public on the problem of garbage dumped into the sea and its ill-effects on marine life.
