Jamnagar: 17th September 2016: International Coastal Cleanup Day is observed annually in the 3rd week of September. It is the world's largest one-day volunteer effort to clean up the coast and the surrounding environment.
The Indian Coast Guard Station, Vadinar, Coast Guard Region (North West), Gandhinagar and No. 1 Coast Guard District Headquarters, Porbandar, along with Essar Foundation, organised a coastal cleanup event on 17th September, along the beach of the Narara Marine National Sanctuary in Vadinar. The event was co-sponsored by Essar Oil Limited. The clean-up drive was carried out at Narara Bet to foster general awareness on the need to keep beaches and the surrounding areas clean.
Around 300 volunteers and senior officials from Indian Coast Guard, ESSAR, IOCL, Forest Department, BORL Vadinar, St. Ann's High School and Navyug School, Vadinar, and CGWWA (Coast Guard Wives Welfare Association) participated in the event conducted. The response to this noble cause was overwhelming, and in about three hours, a truckload of trash was removed from the beach. The participants, especially the school children, were educated about the harmful effects of litter on marine creatures and public health.
Shri Manoj Kumar Srivastava, Commissioner of Customs, Jamnagar, and Shri Shyamal Tikader, Chief Conservator of Forest, Jamnagar, graced the occasion as chief guest. They appreciated the efforts of the Indian Coast Guard in nurturing awareness on society to keep our beaches clean, and protect the marine environment.
