Coastal Cleanup at RK Beach: A Unified Effort for Ocean Conservation

The Indian Coast Guard District 6 (Andhra Pradesh) organized an International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) drive at RK Beach, Visakhapatnam, on Saturday, as part of the Prime Minister’s ‘Swachhata Hi Sewa’ initiative. This drive aimed to raise awareness about environmental conservation across the country.

This year’s ICC focused on the theme “Turning the Tide on Ocean Trash” and attracted a wide range of volunteers, from local residents to professionals. The event, held under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), aimed to address the growing problem of marine pollution.

Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat attended as the chief guest, and District Collector MN Harendhira Prasad was the guest of honour. Their presence reinforced the importance of collective action in environmental protection and the role of community efforts in building cleaner, sustainable spaces.

Volunteers from agencies including CISF, NCC, Adani Group, HPCL, IOCL, as well as local schools, colleges, and Indian Coast Guard personnel and their families, joined the cleanup. Together, they collected approximately 600 kg of recyclable plastic and around 700 kg of other dry waste, significantly improving the cleanliness of RK Beach.

Deputy Inspector General Rajesh Mittal, Commander of Coast Guard District HQ-6, expressed satisfaction with the participation. “This year’s ICC drive highlights the growing awareness in the community and the collective responsibility we have in preserving our oceans,” Mittal said.