ICAR-CCARI Celebrates Maritime Day with a Beach Cleanup Initiative at Miramar   

    On 28th September 2024, the ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CCARI) celebrated Maritime Day by organizing a significant beach cleanup initiative at Miramar Beach, aimed at preserving the marine ecosystem. This event, held as part of the Swachhata Hi Seva 2024 campaign, saw the participation of ten ICAR-CCARI staff members, all dedicated to protecting the coastal environment from pollution. The team covered a stretch of 3 km along the beach, diligently segregating the collected garbage into 30 distinct categories, including plastic bottles, sanitary items, glassware, fishing nets and ropes, medicinal items, footwear, thermocol, and more. These materials were then carefully packed and prepared for recycling. Among the waste collected, plastic bottles and plastic glasses were the most common items. The cleanup effort culminated in collecting five bags filled with debris, which were then transported back to the institute for proper segregation and recycling procedures.

    The cleanup operation was highly successful, resulting in the removal of a substantial amount of marine debris and pollutants from the beach. Shri Trivesh Suresh Mayekar, a scientist at ICAR-CCARI, highlighted the importance of such efforts and drew attention to the growing menace of microplastics, which pose a serious threat to ocean health. This endeavor stands as a testament to the institute's ongoing efforts toward marine conservation.​The program was coordinated by Shri Trivesh Mayekar, along with Sreekanth GB and Melbin Lal (YP II), ensuring its smooth execution and impactful results. This initiative not only contributed to environmental conservation but also raised awareness about the urgent need to address marine pollution.