Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Sept 20: On the occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day, the Udupi district administration led a large-scale beach cleaning initiative on Saturday, September 20, bringing together multiple government departments, academic institutions, civil society organisations, and community groups in a united effort to safeguard the coastal ecosystem.
The event was jointly organised by the Zilla Panchayat, Tourism Department, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Clean Kundapura, Clean Kinara Byndoor, Paduvana Friends Byndoor, Swaccham Adventures Kaup, Kharvi Online Trasi, Canara Bank, Coastal Police, District Police, Pollution Control Board, the Government PU College NSS Unit, and several other departments and grama panchayats.
Volunteers from across Udupi, including representatives from colleges, NGOs, and various government bodies, participated actively. Eight major beaches — Malpe, Kaup, Delta Beach, Kodi Kundapur, Trasi Maravanthe, and Paduvari Someshwara among them — were identified and cleaned as part of the campaign. To enhance the operation’s impact, a beach cleaning machine was also deployed.
Leaders call for collective responsibility
Swaroopa T K, deputy commissioner of Udupi district, participated in the drive and urged the public to take ownership of their surroundings: “Udupi is a blessed land, rich in nature and divinity. I appeal to everyone to join hands in making Udupi a clean city. Whenever you see plastic waste, please pick it up and dispose of it properly. We must reduce the use of plastic and educate tourists about avoiding it. Together, we should take responsibility to keep our surroundings clean.”
Gangadar G, general manager, Canara Bank circle office Manipal, praised the collective commitment shown by all those involved “The large gathering here today reflects everyone’s commitment to this cause. It is our duty to keep the environment clean and healthy. Building a clean nation is our shared responsibility, and together, we can achieve it.”
Environmental campaigner Focus Raghu connected cleanliness with tourism, stating: “If we truly love tourism, we must respect and protect nature. Cleaner surroundings attract more visitors. Today, excessive use of plastic is polluting our environment. Even if we throw waste into nature, it stays silent, but once the monsoon ends, the sea brings all that waste back to our coast. As responsible citizens, we must keep our environment clean.”
Also present were Udupi City Municipal Council president Prabhakar Poojary, students, officers, local residents, and a large number of volunteers, all of whom participated with enthusiasm and a shared commitment to environmental sustainability.