Beach cleaning gets overwhelming response

Over 10,000 people clean 20 beaches in 43 km coastline

The district administration as a part of Clean, Green and Progressive Mangalore launched ‘Save our beach’ drive early Sunday morning at Thota Bengre.

The drive that stretched throughout the 43 km coastline had over 10,000 people cleaning 20 beaches simultaneously in 23 villages. Speaking on the occasion, District-in-Charge Minister Krishna J Palemar said that people should stop using plastic below 40 micron. “We have been invited to clean nature and only if we work united, the cleanliness drive can have a greater impact,” he said.

“Corruption free society and a healthy and hygienic environment are the main needs of a society,” stressed Deputy Speaker N Yogish Bhat. Justice B N Pinto asked the people present to commit to a clean and healthy beach. Justice Nagamohan Das said that people coming forward to clean the city on the Labourers day is truly appreciable.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, DC Subodh Yadav said that the drive is a demonstration to motivate people in keeping their surroundings clean. MCC Commissioner Dr K N Vijayprakash said that a clean beach will help in protecting environment and promoting tourism.

Panambur Beach Tourism Development Project CEO Yatish Baikampady said that over 90 truckloads of garbage was collected. “The drive was helpful in spreading awareness and sensitising people,” he said.

Good response

Students, localities and organisations joined hands in this mass campaign. The drive had people participating from all over the district. About 7,500 people participated from various institutions and organisations.

About 500 people from Bantwal, 1,800 people from Moodbidri, 600 from Belthangady, 400 from Sullia had also come to Mangalore to partake in the drive. The entire coastal area of Dakshina Kannada was divided into five zones to ensure effective cleaning. In Thota Bengre alone, around 3,500 people participated.

Bengre resident Manorama had come with her family to participate in the drive. “We used to feel difficult to live with the stench. I am very happy that the administration is taking interest in cleaning the beach,” she said.

“A special team should be appointed to penalise people if they litter the beaches. The administration should hold more such drives,” opined MV Shetty College Student Ankitha.

Street play

A short and meaningful street play was staged by students of A B Shetty Dental College. The play stressed on having penalty if one litters the beach, having more dustbins and developing the beach for tourism.

Palemar unhappy

District-in-charge Minister Krishna J Palemar seemed unhappy that the flower bouquet offered to him had a plastic wrapping. Expressing his unhappiness, he tore the plastic from the bouquet and discarded it and asked people to make minimal use of plastic.

Several other dignitaries followed his example and tore off the plastic from their bouquets.