Community Mobilizes to Tackle Coastal Pollution on World Oceans Day
On June 8, 2025, multiple organizations and community volunteers joined forces to host beach clean-up drives across Chennai's coastline. These initiatives, held in honor of World Oceans Day, spotlight the urgent need to preserve marine environments and sustain the ecosystems they support.
Kovalam Beach: Over 250 kg of Waste Collected
The Ocean Society of India, partnering with the Department of Civil Engineering at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, led an extensive clean-up at Kovalam Beach. Working under the theme "Wonder: Sustaining What Sustains Us," volunteers equipped with gloves and reusable bags combed the shore, collecting roughly 250 kilograms of plastic debris, discarded fishing materials, glass bottles, and assorted litter.
This gathered waste is slated for further scientific analysis, contributing valuable data toward ongoing research on marine debris and microplastics. Among the notable attendees were Pravakar Mishra, a former scientist from the National Centre for Coastal Research, Puzhgalenthi, Tamil Nadu’s Coastal Security Group inspector, Kovalam Panchayat president Shobana Thangam, and R. Nagalakshmi, a program coordinator and associate professor.
Elliot’s Beach: Greenpeace Volunteers Make Impact
Meanwhile, a dedicated team of around 30 Greenpeace India volunteers focused their efforts on Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar. Together, they removed some 100 kilograms of waste. To amplify awareness, the group installed an evocative artwork portraying an Olive Ridley turtle, symbolizing the oceans’ critical role in biodiversity preservation, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
Highlighting the shared connection between ocean and society, Greenpeace campaigner Yasin Fahmidha remarked, “From the sands of Besant Nagar to Kerala’s shores, the ocean connects us all. Today’s clean-up was more than just waste collection—it was a powerful act of community care by locals who recognize the ocean as their lifeline.”
Corporate and Environmental Groups Collaborate for Cleaner Shores
In addition, staff from ibis Chennai SIPCOT and ibis Chennai City Centre along with volunteers partnered with the Environmentalist Foundation of India for coastal clean-up activities. Their efforts underscored Chennai’s coastline as an essential part of the city’s identity, economic backbone, and ecological health.
Tejus Jose, Director of Operations for ibis and ibis Styles India, emphasized the broader vision underpinning the initiative: “Our aim extends beyond cleaning beaches—we want to spark meaningful conversations about sustainability and foster a spirit of community responsibility.”
Looking Ahead: Sustained Action for Ocean Health
These collective efforts on World Oceans Day serve as a timely reminder that safeguarding marine environments requires persistent engagement from all sectors of society. By turning coastal care into a shared mission, these volunteers are encouraging long-term stewardship that honors the oceans as a vital resource for biodiversity, climate balance, and human well-being.
