Bhubaneswar, Odisha : Odisha will observe International Beach Cleanup Day on September 20th, and volunteers will clean 14 beaches across the state, said Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department Shri Satyabrat Sahu.
Shri Sahu presided over a high-level preparatory meeting today and announced that the statewide beach cleanup will begin at Puri Beach on September 20th from 6:30 am to 9 am. Governor Dr. Haribabu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Minister Shri Bhupinder Yadav, Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Parvathi Parida, Minister Shri Ganesh Ram Sing Khuntia, Puri MP Shri Sambit Patra, and other dignitaries will attend. Attendees will take the “I protect my beach” pledge, participate in a signature campaign, and display prize-winning paintings. Volunteers will clean the beaches, separate debris/waste, and hand it over to municipalities or plastic recyclers. Organizers will arrange selfie points, promote plastic recycling through Odisha State Pollution Control Board, and showcase achievements by GCF-ECRICC. The Wildlife Division will conduct turtle hatching activities, and NCSCM will present exhibitions. Cyclothon and Walkathon events will engage participants, and the organizers will stream the event live and capture drone footage.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri Suresh Pant, PCCF (Wildlife) Shri Prem Kumar Jha, PCCF (Kenduleaf) Smt. Uma Nanduri, Director Environment Shri K. S. Pradeep, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change Shri Rajat Agarwal, Director & Scientist (F) SCM Division Dr. Sandeep, Puri Collector & DM Shri Dibyajyoti Parida, Puri DFO, and senior officers of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board attended the meeting virtually and shared updates on preparations.
Every year, the state celebrates International Beach Cleanup Day on the third Saturday of September. Ocean Conservancy, an American organization, launched the campaign in 1986, and today more than 100 countries observe it. Volunteers clean plastics, polythene, bottles, and nets to protect marine life, safeguard habitats of turtles, fish, and birds, and reduce microplastics in the human food chain. Clean beaches also boost tourism, and this initiative encourages social responsibility among students, NGOs, government bodies, and volunteers.
Odisha, with its 500 km coastline including Puri, Konark, Gopalpur, Chandipur, and Talasari, treats its beaches not only as tourist attractions but as part of its economic, environmental, and social heritage. International Coastal Cleanup Day promotes a movement to protect the environment, marine life, tourism, and future generations.
Also Read : Odisha Plantation Drive 75 Lakh Saplings on PM Modi’s 75th
