A significant community-driven cleanliness drive transformed the shoreline of Someshwara Beach in Mangaluru this Sunday. The monthly shramadan, organized by the Ramakrishna Mission Swacch Mangaluru Abhiyan, was dedicated entirely to combating marine pollution and protecting the coastal ecosystem.
Green Flag Inaugurates Coastal Cleanup Mission
The initiative was formally inaugurated by Fr Avinash D'Souza of St Aloysius Kotekar Beeri Campus and senior volunteer Anirudh Nayak, who jointly waved the green flag to commence operations. In his address, Fr Avinash D'Souza emphasized the spiritual and communal importance of such efforts. He stated that cleanliness is a divine path and urged the youth to actively engage in these noble services for nature's protection.
Army of Volunteers Tackles Plastic Menace
The cleanup saw enthusiastic participation from a large team of student and senior volunteers. Faculty members Gowthami, Rachana, Mahalakshmi, and Shreesha from St Aloysius PG Centre led one group of students. They focused on collecting plastic waste, bottles, and various non-recyclable debris littering the beach.
Simultaneously, a dedicated team of senior volunteers, including Uday KP, Taranath Alva, Sridhar, Rajeevi Chandrashekar, Prakash, and Babitha Shetty, guided another batch of students. This team cleared heaps of thermocol, wooden waste, discarded footwear, plastic items, and bottles that had washed ashore.
Strategic Support and Waste Management
The drive was conducted in association with Swacch Mangaluru Prathishtana and received support from MRPL–ONGC under its environmental social responsibility programme. Ensuring systematic disposal, staff from the Bantwal Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) actively participated in the fieldwork.
Coordinators Sachin Shetty, Navaneeth, Varun, Raghavendra, and Harsha played a crucial role in the operation's success. They managed the proper segregation and transportation of all collected waste. The event also saw participation from representatives of Repurpose Global and Sattva Knowledge Reality Trust.
This month's special beach-focused shramadan successfully highlighted the urgent need to reduce plastic pollution along Mangaluru's cherished coastline. The collective action not only cleared substantial waste but also served as a powerful awareness campaign for coastal conservation, inspiring the community to take greater responsibility for their environment.
