33rd International Coastal Cleanup Day observed in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: The 33rd International Coastal Cleanup Day was observed by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) for the seventh consecutive year on Saturday.

On the occasion over 3,500 naval personnel, defence civilians, their families, KV School students and NCC cadets undertook massive coastal cleanup drive at major waterfronts. 

The cleanup drive was inaugurated by Vice-Admiral Karambir Singh, Commanding-in Chief, Eastern Naval Command at the RK Beach. 

P Basant Kumar, Metropolitan Commissioner, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), and M Harinarayanan, Commissioner, Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), were present. 

All the participants were divided into 14 groups and cleaned various locations at Ramakrishna Beach, Tenneti Park, Yerada Beach, Rushikonda Beach and Kalinga Beach in addition to other areas under jurisdiction of Indian Navy. 

A special skit was also played to demonstrate the ill effects of sea pollution and the need to preserve the environment. 

With a theme ‘Fighting for Trash Free Seas’, the drive was intended to inculcate awareness among the people, the spirit of respecting the beaches and safeguarding the environment. 

The event was also aimed at creating awareness among people to keep beaches clean and to support the noble efforts of GVMC in making ‘The City of Destiny – Vizag’ a clean city. 

The Indian Navy has a close association with the city particularly the RK Beach, which was the venue of the IFR held in 2016 and where the Naval Operational Demonstration is held every year as part of the Navy Day celebrations in December.