MoEF drive to clean 24 beaches and river fronts

At least four Karnataka beaches – Panambur, Malpe, Gokarna and Karwar – would be cleaned up in a special drive the Union Environment Ministry has launched ahead of the World Environment Day.

They are among 24 beaches in 9 states to be cleared of the garbage and other contaminants with the involvement of local communities and schoolchildren.

In addition, 24 riverfronts in 19 states including Pennar and Cauvery waterfront in Karnataka too would be spruced up.

An amount of Rs 10 lakh has been earmarked for each stretch of beach, riverfront and lake. The ministry has formed 19 teams comprising senior officials, state agencies and school eco-clubs, to take up cleaning of beaches, riverfronts and lakes, the ministry says in a statement.

Some of the other beaches to be cleaned up in the special drive include Calangute, Miramar and Colva in Goa; Kannur and Calicut in Kerala; Kanyakumari, Ennore and Palavakkam in Tamil Nadu and Bakhkhali and Tajpur in West Bengal.

The clean-up operation would conclude on June 5 – the World Environment Day. This year India is the global host of United Nation’s World Environment Day celebrations.

Union Environment Minister Harsh Vardhan wrote to school principals across the country, requesting them to declare their schools free from plastic pollution by prohibiting plastic items like water bottles, bags, cups, plates, water jugs, folders, trays and pen stands.

The schools have also been advised to adopt a water body, pond, wetland, beaches or an eco-sensitive area around the school and make them plastic-free. The ministry would encourage such schools by declaring them plastic-free institutions.