MADURAI: To commemorate the World Ocean Day on 8th June 2023, an awareness programme on beach cleanup was organized at Pudumadam Beach in the Gulf of Mannar in Ramanathapuram district by the Department of Marine and Coastal Studies-Marine Field Research Facility station of Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) in Pudumadam, a press release from the university has informed today.
The purpose of World Ocean Day is to inform the public about the impact of human actions on ocean and to develop a citizens’ movement to protect oceans. Dr.M.Anand, coordinator of beach cleanup activity from the Department of Marine and Coastal Studies of Madurai Kamaraj University, has explained about how marine debris spoils the oceans.
MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof.Dr.J.Kumar had formally started the beach cleaning programme and spoke on the importance of saving coastal beaches in India and to prevent trash from reaching the ocean. Dr.G.Tamilmani, senior scientist, Mandapam RC of CMFRI, spoke about cleanliness and hygiene in beaches and among those who were present include Mr.S.Kamil Hussain, president of Pudumadam panchayat, Dr.C.Anand, assistant professor, Mandapam Centre for Sustainable Aquaculture (Mandapam CeSA), TNFU, Seeniappa Dargha, Ramnad professor and Dr.S.Kannan, Head-Department of Environment, School of Energy Sciences, MKU.
The cleanup data has revealed the composition of various marine debris along the coasts which includes plastic bottles, plastic wrappers, water packets, glass bottles, paper cups, cigarette buds, straws, slippers, thermacol etc. Non-Biodegradable things are more in quantity. Students and volunteers from the School of Energy Sciences of Madurai Kamaraj University and from Syed Ammal Arts and Science College in Ramnad and from Vel Manoharan Arts and Science College for Women in Ramnad took part in this important programme of beach cleaning activity on June 8th 2023.
This programme was supported by MoES-NCCR-GoI and coordinated by Ocean Society of Kochi, the press release from MKU here has informed today.
