Okha: Coast Guard District Headquarters (North Gujarat) organised a major coastal cleanup drive at CG Beach, Okha, on September 19, 2026, to mark International Coastal Cleanup Day 2026, reaffirming the Indian Coast Guard’s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems and promoting collective action for cleaner and safer seas.
The event was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guest Shri Vikrant Deoras, Site & Manufacturing Head, Tata Chemicals Ltd., Mithapur, and Guest of Honour Dr Prabhakaran Paleri, Former Director General, Indian Coast Guard. Their participation and commitment to environmental conservation encouraged participants to take collective responsibility for protecting the coastline and marine environment.
Personnel from Coast Guard Stations Okha and units under command, ICGS Jakhau, ICGS Vadinar and ICGS Mundra actively participated in the campaign. They were joined by local school students, volunteers, Marine Police personnel, civil society members, government agencies, organisations and educational institutions.
The campaign commenced with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the distinguished guests, followed by a pledge centred on “Clean Seas, Safe Seas.” The initiative highlighted the importance of community participation and inter-agency coordination in tackling marine litter and preserving coastal ecosystems.
The cleanup operations began at 0730 hours, with teams simultaneously undertaking cleaning activities across approximately 8 km of coastline. The drive covered areas adjacent to CG land at Okha, Pingleshwar Beach at Jakhau, the DPA gate to Narara Bet at Vadinar, and Luni Beach at Mundra.
Within two hours, participants collected and responsibly disposed of approximately 820 kg of litter. The collected waste was subsequently handed over to the concerned Municipal Corporation for appropriate processing and disposal.
Held under the inspiring banner “स्वच्छ सागर, सुरक्षित तट, यही पहचान हमारी”, the initiative reflected the shared commitment of government agencies, industry, educational institutions, volunteers and local communities towards maintaining a clean and pollution-free coastline.
The Indian Coast Guard’s International Coastal Cleanup Day initiative reinforced the message that protecting the marine environment requires sustained collective participation. Through such coordinated efforts, the campaign sought to promote environmental responsibility and safeguard India’s coastal and marine ecosystems for future generations.
