Mega beach cleaning organised in Vizag

VISAKHAPATNAM: The district administration has taken up mega beach cleaning from Ramakrishna Beach to the YMCA in Visakhapatnam in association with the AP Pollution Control Board, Parley for the Oceans, and Sagar Teera Swachata G-20 presidency from 6 am on Sunday morning. Top political leaders and officials were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, collector Dr A. Mallikarjuna said the programme was taken up on the directions of the Central government as a part of the beach cleaning all over the country. He said in Visakhapatnam, the programme was taken up with the association of the AP Pollution Control Board.

He appealed to the people to keep the beach free from plastic waste and dump it in the bins set up by the GVMC authorities. The programme was being taken from last year, he said.

Member secretary of the AP Pollution Control Board B. Sreedhar said the beach cleaning programme was being taken up on all the beaches in Andhra Pradesh. He too appealed to people to avoid using plastic.

The commissioner of police in Visakhapatnam said it was the responsibility of all to keep the beach clean. He said popular beaches in Visakhapatnam should be kept clean as thousands of tourists visit them regularly.

Hundreds of government officials, NGOs, and the general public participated in the beach cleaning programme. Stalls put up by various organisations and sand art attracted early morning visitors.

At Chintapalli beach in Pusapatiega mandal in Vizianagaram district, collector S. Nagalakhmi and other officials participated in the beach cleaning programme. Stalls were put up with implements as an alternative to plastic. Representatives of local industries also participated in the programme.