Mangalore: Sleeves Rolled up, Citizens Get Down to Clean Beaches
Pics: Savitha B R
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (PS/VA)
Mangalore, May 1: ‘Save Our Beach – 2011’ a beach clean drive organized by DK district administration in support of ‘Clean Green Progressive City’ was inaugurated at Thota Bengre here on Sunday May 1.
Speaking on the occasion, district in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar said that the citizens should be united to fight against the pollution of nature. “The clean drive is a great initiative and action from the group on this regard will have more impact, than individual effort”, he stressed.
He also added that circular will be passed across the state ordering prohibition of usage of plastic bouquet in any government function.
All the chief guests - B N Pinto, Abdul Nazeer, Nagmohandas stressed on importance of participation of local people in keeping the beach clean everlastingly.
Over 11,000 volunteers including NGOs, clubs, corporate, students, locals made it to the beaches in support of ‘Save Our Beach’. The students from various institutes comprised the largest chunk of volunteers. More than 500 students from Yenepoya institutions, about 500 from M V Shetty College, nearly 500 from Alva's College, 200 from A B Shetty College participated in the drive.
Street play performed by the students of A B Shetty College focused on the steps that could be taken to keep clean the beaches in Mangalore like in foreign countries.
DC Subodh Yadav said that this is a massive drive as 43 km-long coastline of Dakshina Kannada district is undergoing the cleanliness drive simultaneously. "Our next drive is to plant trees across the urban areas that are becoming deforested. In our broader vision of sustainable growth, we aim to plant more than 50,000 sapplings across the city to make it clean and green. This will be organized in the last week of June keeping the monsoons in mind as the plants need sufficient water to grow," he said.
The entire coastal area of Dakshina Kannada was divided into five zones to ensure effective cleaning campaigns. The five zones identified include beach stretch from Talapady to Nethravathi, Bengre to NMPT South, Panambur to Hosabettu, Hosabettu to Sasihithlu, and Chitrapura to Hejmady.
Speaking to ‘Daijiworld’ one of the participants Nagendra, a manager, Corporation Bank, resident of Bejai said that himself and his other 5 associates who have formed Youth Hostel Association of India , who carry out trecking often have arrived in Thota Bengre beach with their own cleaning equipment.
They concentrated only on collecting chappals and plastic bags as it would save their time to achieve their aim as soon as possible. He also said that the district administration should keep as many dustbins on the beaches rather than keeping a very few bins. Only public awareness is the key to achieve ‘Clean Beaches’, he added.
Answering to a query by a press persons Palemar said that there is no lack of underground water in the district and eco club which was formed in the district is affectively carrying out its function. More number of girl students of various colleges participated in the drive. Local people also were seen in impressive numbers.
Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh, Deputy Speaker Yogish Bhat, AC Prabhulinga Kavalikatte, Pradeep Kumar Kalkura, president of DK unit of Kannada Sahitya Parishad among others were present during the inaugural session.
In all, 91 trucks of garbage were taken away from the beach to the dumpyard. Arrangements were made for ambulance, food, transport, equipment, JCBs, lorries etc.