ZSI, Port Blair Rated as No. 1 among 75 Centres Coordinating the Campaign Across the Nation
Port Blair, Sept. 5: The Government of India has taken an initiative to mass mobilise a campaign during August 2022 to September 2022 to coincide with the International Coastal Clean-up Day (September 17, 2022). Under this campaign various activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
As a part of the celebration of International Coastal Clean-up Day, the Vigyan Prasar (VP), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India is organizing a one-day event to highlight the idea of a ‘Clean coast, Safe sea’ in Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair.
In this connection, the Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair organised a coastal clean-up today at Burmanalla and one-day workshop on Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar (Clean Coast, Safe Sea to be held on 6th September 2022 in ZSI, Port Blair as a part of celebration of International Coastal Cleanup Day for the benefit of the Teachers, Researchers and Students of these Islands.
Addressing a press conference today at ZSI Conference Hall, Dr. C Sivaperuman, Officer-in-Charge, ANRC/SI, Port Blair explained the various activities that has been conducted in Andaman & Nicobar Islands as a part of ‘Swatchh Sagar Surakshit Sagar’ campaign. He explained that more than 100 students today participated in the Coastal Clean-up drive organised at Burnamalla.
The International Coastal Clean-up Day will be celebrated on the 17th of Sept. 2022 in which we are expecting a huge turnout, he said. He also said that more than 200 have participated enthusiastically in the painting and drawing competition coordinated by ZSI across the Islands.
The target of the Govt. of India is to clean-up 75 beaches in 75 days across the nation, out of which 10 beaches have been selected in Andaman & Nicobar. He took the opportunity to announce on the occasion that ZSI Port Blair has been rated as No. 1 out of the 75 centres involved in the campaign across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran, Scientist-F, Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India explained that a common notion is that the trees produce the maximum amount of oxygen but the fact remains that 80% of Oxygen replenished in the atmosphere is from the Ocean.
The ocean is a vast source of protein especially for the poor, the explained. But studies over the years have concluded that the fishes which are the source of protein contain micro plastic, which is harmful for human consumption. One can understand the impact on earth if the sea food gets completely polluted by micro plastic, he said.
Another common notion is that Ocean can take anything and everything, which is not correct, he said. The ocean cannot take anything and everything and that is the reason why mass awareness has to be created through campaigns such as coastal clean-up drives.
He also congratulated the islanders as 1/7th of the total number of beaches identified for the campaign is in Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Dr. Venkateswaran took the occasion to call upon the islanders not only to take part in the seminar but to join in huge numbers for the Coastal Clean-up Campaign on 17th Sept. 2022.
Dr. Inderjit Singh, Registrar, Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India addressing the press conference urged the islanders to be a part of this historical event on 17th Sept. 2022 when millions of people from across the globe will be joining in for Coastal Clean-up with an aim of having a clean and safe coast. We are going to bank on the sea in future as it is a multi-trillion dollar economy, added Singh.