Raise awareness about marine pollution
To enhance an approach which promotes civic and environment education that also involves community development, the Young Environmentalists Programme Trust and Ocean School India invited students and community members to know more about how social service work can enhance regular community participation in marine ecosystem education. Bridging the gap caused by two years of offline classes, it got students back to the classrooms through plastic segregation and teamwork.
The beach cleaning program was held in association with Clean India Journal, Rossari Biotech and local municipal authorities. Elsie Gabriel, Founder, Young Environmentalists Programme Trust said: “The community and students participated not only in cleaning the beach but urging the government to take action on marine debris, passing legislation and ban on single-use plastics. With the monsoons approaching in a few months, it’s worrisome that there are thousands of plastics still found on streets, corners and beaches. Plastic wrappers, bottles and slippers were mostly seen in the collection bags.”
Clean India Journal’s Director-Projects Prakash Kuttappan joined the beach lifeguards and safai karamcharis in the beach cleaning. Over 50 kgs were collected in one hour.
“The beach clean-up project is part of Rossari’s long-term commitment to making the country cleaner and the environment more sustainable. By participating in the campaign, Rossari intends to spread the word about the importance of having a plastic-free, litter-free, and pollution-free environment. Both students and teachers found it to be a rewarding feeling. It was vital for us to show the youngsters the reality of the devastation we bring upon nature in our daily lives” added Amrutraj Kulkarni – Vice President of Rossari Biotech, who represented his organisation at the site.