Port Blair, Sept. 19: As a part of the celebration of International Coastal Clean-up Day, the Zoological Survey of India, Port Blair organized coastal clean-up on 5th & 17th September 2022 and one-day workshop on 6th September 2022 in collaboration with the Vigyan Prasar (VP), Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The aim was to highlight the idea of ‘Clean coast, Safe sea’ for the benefit of the Teachers, Researchers and Students of these Islands. 

The ZSI also conducted an online drawing/painting competition for the students/researchers wherein more than 200 students participated from different schools, colleges and research institutions.  Dr. R.S.C. Jayaraj, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, A&N Islands graced the occasion as Chief Guest while Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair, Shri. Inderjit Singh, Registrar & Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran, Scientist-F, Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India were Guests of Honor. 

The inaugural programme commenced with invocation and lightening the Lamp by the Chief Guest and Guests of Honor. At the outset Dr. C. Sivaperuman, Officer-in-Charge, Andaman & Nicobar Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India welcomed the Chief Guest, Guests of Honor, invitees and participant of the workshop.  He also highlighted about the importance of the International Coastal Cleanup Day.

The technical session commenced with the talk by Dr. C. Sivaperuman, ANRC/ZSI, Port Blair on Marine Biodiversity with special reference to A&N Islands. He made detailed presentation on the marine biodiversity and their importance.

Dr. P.M. Mohan, Professor, Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair has delivered a talk on an overview of Marine Pollution and its importance of conservation of marine ecosystem.

Dr. T.V. Venkateswaran, Scientist-F, Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology discussed on the Mysteries of the Ocean and the last talk was by Shri. Inderjit Singh, Vigyan Prasar, Department of Science and Technology who provided an introduction on safe sea clean sea and importance of the initiatives by the Government of India as part of celebration of International Coastal Cleanup day.

Er. T.N. Krishnamoorthy, Chief Engineer & Administrator, Andaman & Lakshadweep Habour Works; Dr. M. Vinodkumar, Zonal Director, Fishery Survey of India, Port Blair have graced the valedictory session and distributed the certificate to the winners of the painting/drawing competitions.

Earlier on 5th September 2022 coastal clean-up was conducted at Burmanalla Beach. About 120 students from different school, colleges, research institutions and PRI members participated.  On 17th September 2022 coastal clean-up has conducted at Corbyn’s Cove Beach, South Andaman; Karmatang Beach, Mayabunder; Gandhi Nagar Beach, Great Nicobar; Radhanagar Beach, Swaraj Dweep; and Malacca Beach, Car Nicobar in collaboration with Department of Environment and Forests; Mahatma Gandhi Government College; Government Senior Secondary School, Gandhi Nagar & Campbell Bay, Great Nicobar Island; Tagore Government College of Education; Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Car Nicobar and more 400 students and staff members were actively participated in different places.