Marking World Coastal Cleanup Day, the Central University of Kerala (CUK) organised a cleanup drive at Bekal Beach, carrying the message ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’. The initiative was spearheaded by the university’s National Service Scheme (NSS) in collaboration with the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.

With active participation from the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation (BRDC), District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Periyadukka MP International School, college students, and volunteers, the drive successfully removed one ton of waste. Of this, 368 kilograms were plastic, while the rest comprised paper, glass, metal, cloth, and rubber.

The cleanup began at 7 a.m. and continued until noon. Volunteers meticulously collected litter strewn along the shoreline, which was later segregated and handed over to Mahyoobah Eco Solution for scientific processing. Adding a creative touch, students also built a sand sculpture to underscore the importance of coastal conservation.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Siddu P. Algur inaugurated the programme. In his address, he stressed that the effort should not be seen merely as a cleaning exercise but as a larger mission to create awareness on the need to maintain clean beaches. “A large section of the population, including in Kerala, depends on the sea for their livelihood. Ocean conservation is crucial not only for environmental protection but also for economic sustenance,” he said.

BRDC Managing Director Shijin Parambath administered the pledge on ocean protection. Other dignitaries who addressed the gathering included Prof. Rajendra Pilankatta, Dean Students’ Welfare; Kunhabdulla, Managing Director, Mahyoobah Eco Solution; Mohammed Anas, Director, Bekal Beach Park; Dr. S. Anbazhagi, NSS Coordinator; and Dr. V. Sudheesh, Technical Officer.