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Gujarat, Umergaon, Valsad

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in collaboration with the Government of Gujarat, organized a large-scale Beach Cleaning Drive at Umergaon, Valsad Beach on 20th September 2025. The initiative was part of the “Seva Parv” campaign, commemorating International Coastal Clean-up Day (ICCD) 2025.

The programme aimed to raise awareness about marine pollution, coastal conservation, and the urgent need for sustainable environmental practices. The event drew enthusiastic participation from local communities, school children, representatives of local self-governments, government officials, environmental organizations, and educational institutions.

A total of 400 volunteers took part in the clean-up, collecting nearly 12280.0 kg of marine litter and waste. The debris primarily consisted of plastic materials and discarded fishing nets, glass and rubber items etc.

Alongside the clean-up, the event also featured public awareness activities and community engagement programmes. The drive concluded with all participants taking the Green Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable living.

Beach Data

Event Information
Event Name	International Coastal Clean-up Day 2025
Description	On International Coastal Clean-up Day 2025, the Gujarat Environmental Management Institute (GEMI) with the support of local government, non-government organizations, educational institutions, industries and communities organized a beach clean-up drive along the state as coastline to combat marine litter and promote environmental awareness. Volunteers from local communities, schools, industries, and government bodies actively participated, collecting plastic waste, fishing nets, bottles, and other debris for safe disposal and recycling. GEMI officials emphasized the ecological importance of clean beaches for fisheries, biodiversity, tourism, and climate resilience. The drive not only removed significant litter but also reinforced public commitment to responsible waste management and sustainable coastal conservation.
Chief Guest	Shri. Naresh Banthia, President UIA
Participants & Beach Length
Male	280	Female	120
Length (m)	500	Width (m)	200
Area (sq.m)	100000
Beach Information
Situated In	Semi Urban	Beach Usage
Beach Type	Sandy
Near Harbour/Jetty	-1	Close to River/Creek?	No
Close to Fishing Village?	No	Commercial Shop Available?	No

Litter Information

Category	Value
Fishing Nets	59.0
️ Plastic	9893.0
Glass	120.0
Paper	460.0
Rubber	80.0
️ Metal	0.0
Wood	350.0
Medical Waste	0.0
Others	1318.0
Total Litter	12280.0
Remarks	Three tractors were loaded with waste namely, Tractor (1): 4880kg, (2): 3230 kg, (3): 4170 kg respectively. Other materials include clothes, rope etc.