How Much Waste Was Cleared in Coastal Cleanup Drive Across 10 Beaches in Gujarat?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 51,500 kg of waste collected.
- Involvement of various community sectors.
- Focus on awareness about coastal cleanliness.
- Multiple educational activities conducted.
- Part of a larger national initiative for environmental protection.
Ahmedabad, Sep 23 (NationPress) Over 51,500 kg of solid waste was meticulously gathered and properly disposed of during an extensive beach cleanup initiative spanning 10 coastal areas of Gujarat on September 20, coinciding with International Coastal Cleanup Day, as announced by the state government on Tuesday.
This program was executed under the National Coastal Mission Scheme instituted by the Central government and was facilitated by the Gujarat Environment Management Institute (GEMI) as part of the ongoing 'Seva Pakhwada' 2025.
The cleanup event, orchestrated with the leadership of State Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Mulubhai Bera and Minister of State Mukesh Patel, witnessed enthusiastic involvement from various government sectors, local authorities, NGOs, Coast Guard, educational institutions, industries, and residents. The beaches included in this campaign were Dumas (Surat), Dandi, Dwarka, Bet Dwarka, Veraval Chowpatty, Porbandar Chowpatty, Ravalpir (Mandvi), Shivrajpur, Umargam, and Koliyak (Bhavnagar).
As per official reports, approximately 51,541 kg of solid waste was retrieved from these beaches and disposed of utilizing scientific methods to minimize environmental repercussions.
The initiative not only focused on cleaning but also aimed at enhancing awareness regarding the significance of maintaining coastlines free from plastic and marine debris.
In addition to the cleanup efforts, GEMI conducted street dramas, sand art, painting contests, and a special plantation initiative entitled 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' at various locations to promote awareness about marine conservation and climate action.
Globally recognized, International Coastal Cleanup Day underscores the urgent necessity to safeguard marine life and coastal ecosystems.
In Gujarat, this campaign was part of 'Seva Pakhwada' 2025, observed throughout India from September 17 to October 2, which encompasses a series of service-oriented activities including tree planting, health camps, cleanliness drives, and environmental education.
India's waste management objectives are grounded in the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, which aim for complete scientific processing, source segregation, recycling, and material reuse, reduction of landfill reliance, and safe disposal of residual waste.
The government's target includes door-to-door waste collection in all urban locales, processing at least 75–80 percent of municipal solid waste, and phasing out single-use plastics.
Initiatives like Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 emphasize the creation of garbage-free cities through material recovery facilities, waste-to-energy plants, and bio-methanation units, while also fostering a circular economy where waste is regarded as a resource.