Cleanliness Should Become a Habit – Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan It Is Everyone’s Responsibility to Keep Beaches Clean – CM Eknath Shinde

Juhu Beach Cleaning Campaign on the Occasion of International Coastal Cleanup Day

Mumbai : Every major task begins with small efforts. Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan emphasized that today is a day to raise public awareness about coastal cleanliness, and this initiative will play a significant role in shaping the concept of ‘Swachh Bharat, Mahan Bharat’. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde echoed the sentiment, stating that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep the beaches clean.

International Coastal Cleanup Day is observed on the third Saturday of September to promote public awareness about the cleanliness of the seashore. In alignment with this, a beach cleaning program was organized at Juhu Beach in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Labor and Employment, the Government of Maharashtra, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board.

The event was attended by Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav, Mumbai City District Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar, Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister Mangalprabhat Lodha, MP Ravindra Waikar, MLA Amit Satam, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Chairman Siddhesh Kadam, Special Secretary of the Central Forest and Environment Department Tanmay Kumar, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Additional Commissioner Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Principal Secretary of the Department of Environment and Climate Change Pravin Darade, and Member Secretary of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board Dr. Avinash Dhakne, among others.

The Governor expressed his satisfaction with the large student turnout for the cleanliness campaign, stating that youth awareness of cleanliness is a positive sign. He stressed the importance of treating sewage before it reaches the ocean and emphasized the goal of making the beaches plastic- and litter-free. He also assured that the state would fully support the central government’s campaign to eliminate single-use plastic. “Everything that nature has given us should be returned to nature in a clean form,” he remarked.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan across the country. Recently, the state launched the ‘Cleanliness is Service’ fortnight, which is being implemented in 4,500 locations statewide. Maharashtra’s 720 km coastline boasts many beaches of natural beauty, attracting tourists from all over the world. Keeping these beaches clean is a shared responsibility. Shinde noted that an intensive cleaning campaign is currently underway in Mumbai and will continue after the monsoon, significantly reducing pollution. He urged all government bodies, social organizations, and citizens to participate in maintaining Mumbai’s beaches and ensuring the city meets international standards. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also administered a cleanliness pledge to the attendees.

Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav highlighted that cleanliness campaigns for beaches are being conducted globally. He called for collective efforts to realize the Swachh Bharat mission, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mission Life’ initiative. He also encouraged everyone to plant at least one tree as part of the Prime Minister’s ‘Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam’ campaign. Yadav announced that the central government would provide assistance for water recycling startups.

Principal Secretary Pravin Darade shared insights into beach cleaning efforts, noting that all of Mumbai’s beaches are being cleaned using modern equipment provided by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Tanmay Kumar provided an overview of the central government’s measures for coastal protection. At the event, dignitaries released the central government’s guidebook on beach cleaning. Dr. Dhakne expressed his gratitude to all participants in the campaign.

Governor Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Shinde, and other dignitaries, along with social organizations, students, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation employees, took part in cleaning Juhu Beach with the aid of modern equipment.