International Beach Cleanup Activity
20th September 2025
Tamil Nadu, Kovalam Beach, Chengalpattu
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu, organized a large-scale Beach Cleaning Drive at Kovalam Beach, Chengalpattu 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 600 volunteers took part in the clean-up, collecting nearly 1500.0 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 | Beach cleanup event and Awareness program | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | A beach cleanup drive was carried out at Kovalam Beach in full compliance with MOEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) guidelines. A total of 600 students, volunteers, and officials participated. The event began with a formal pledge to protect the coast, followed by the actual beach cleaning, where participants collected waste and debris in a systematic manner. Parallel awareness initiatives included a signature campaign encouraging the public to commit to reducing plastic use, and several street plays/dramas illustrating the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine life and coastal ecosystems. | ||
| Chief Guest | |||
| Participants & Beach Length | |||
| Male | 350 | Female | 250 |
| Length (m) | 3500 | Width (m) | 200 |
| Area (sq.m) | 700000 | ||
| Beach Information | |||
| Situated In | Rural | Beach Usage | Tourism,Fishing,Religious |
| Beach Type | Sandy | ||
| Near Harbour/Jetty | -1 | Close to River/Creek? | -1 |
| Close to Fishing Village? | Yes | Commercial Shop Available? | Yes |
Litter Information
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Fishing Nets | 54.0 |
| ️ Plastic | 846.0 |
| Glass | 182.0 |
| Paper | 85.0 |
| Rubber | 15.0 |
| ️ Metal | 3.0 |
| Wood | 40.0 |
| Medical Waste | 0.0 |
| Others | 275.0 |
| Total Litter | 1500.0 |
| Remarks | The Beach cleanup activity was carried out at the stretch excluding the blue flag beach |
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