Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 September 2024
In a continued effort to preserve the pristine beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the South Andaman Forest Division organised beach cleaning drives on the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day, observed on 21st September 2024. The campaign targeted key beach areas along the coastlines of Burmanallah, Rangachang, and Shoal Bay 19.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Forest Department, was made possible with the active participation of local youth from the surrounding communities. Key local leaders, including Mr. R. Parmasivam, Pradhan of Beodnabad Panchayat, Mr. V. Kumar, Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Beodnabad, and Mr. Kumar, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Shoal Bay 10, played an instrumental role in motivating the youth to join hands in this environmental effort.
Logistical support for the campaign was provided by the Forest Department. By the end of the day, the team successfully collected a substantial amount of waste from the beaches, including 26 bags of plastic waste, 25 bags of glass bottles, and 11 bags of other debris. The collected waste, which was packed in eco-friendly jute gunny bags, was handed over to the Solid Waste Management Units under the respective Gram Panchayats of Beodnabad and Shoal Bay for proper disposal.
Plastic waste remains a pressing issue along the coastlines, primarily caused by littering. Such waste materials, which are not biodegradable, often make their way into the sea, posing serious risks to marine life and bird species dependent on coastal ecosystems. This pollution leads to long-lasting damage to the marine environment, disrupting the ecological balance.
The beach cleanup campaign was supervised by Assistant Conservator of Forests, Mr. R.S. Sharath, under the guidance of Divisional Forest Officer of South Andaman, Mr. Ashwin J. Parihar, IFS.
This effort underscores the importance of collective action in safeguarding the fragile coastal ecosystems of the Andaman Islands, reminding residents and visitors alike of the critical need to reduce waste and protect marine biodiversity.