Karwar officials urge ocean cleanliness; plastic waste threatens marine life; public joins cleanup

KARWAR: Dr Dilish Shashi, chief executive officer of the district panchayat, emphasised that keeping the ocean and its shores clean is everyone’s responsibility. He noted that plastic waste in the ocean is consumed by fish and other marine life, which can harm human health when these creatures are used for food.Speaking at a beach cleaning event organised by the Indian Coast Guard on International Coastal Cleanup Day at Rabindranath Tagore Beach, he said that while life on Earth began in the ocean, it is now heavily polluted by human activities. Microplastics entering the ocean eventually reach our homes through marine life. He added that reducing plastic usage should not be the responsibility of a single department; the lesson of cleanliness must begin in every household.

Officials from all departments are participating in a cleanliness drive in the district from September 17 to October 2.Deputy Commissioner Sajid Mulla urged everyone to pledge to keep the coastline clean and manage waste responsibly at home. Coast Guard Commandant Kiran Kumar Sinha highlighted the need to control the use of plastic products and adopt environmentally friendly alternatives. He also stressed the significant role of youth in preserving coastal cleanliness and encouraged public participation.

The event was attended by City Council President Raviraj Ankolekar, Navy Officer Rajat Kumar, Joint Director of the Fisheries Department Ravindra Talekar, Grasim Industries’ Kush Sharma, Coast Guard Deputy Commandant Vivek Dixit, and others. Students from schools and colleges, Coast Guard personnel, fishermen, and members of the public actively participated in the beach cleanup programme.

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