International Coastal Cleanup(ICC) day is annually observed across the globe on the third Saturday of September to maintain a clean coastline in order to protect the coastal flora and fauna.
The day is observed by organising the coastal cleanup campaigns that engage volunteers to clean up the beaches and other waterways.
18th September 2021 marks the observance of the 36th International Coastal Cleanup Day.
- ICC Day 2020 was observed on 19th September 2020.
- ICC Day 2022 will be observed on 17th September 2022.
Aim:
To create awareness about the impacts of trash and debris in Oceans on coastline and beaches, identify the sources and change the behaviours.
The Association for Community Awareness (ASCOA)’s the theme of ICC day 2021 is “Save Our Ocean and Beach”.
Background:
i.The International Coastal Cleanup Day was established by the Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit environmental advocacy group based in the United States of America, that works to protect the ocean against various challenges.
ii.The first International Coastal Cleanup Day was observed in 1986
International Coastal Cleanup Day 2021 in India:
i.The Indian coast guard conducted the ICC day 2021 under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) and South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) in the South Asian Region.
ii.The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) organised a coastal cleanup drive at various seafronts including Yarada Beach, Bheemili Beach within the premises of naval units at Visakhapatnam.
iii.The Southern Naval Command (SNC) observed the ICC Day 2021 with a focus on mangrove plantation and clearance of plastic/non-biodegradable waste along with waterfront areas in and around Kochi.
iv.INS Netaji Subhas and allied units at Station Kolkata observed the ICC day 2021 according to the global campaign to keep our Coastline clean. The observance was themed on “Keep trash in the bin and not in the Ocean”.
