Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign | 29 Jul 2022
Why in News?
Recently, the Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched a Coastal Clean Up Drive under Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar Campaign to clean 75 beaches across the country in 75 days.
What is the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar Campaign?
- About:
- It is the first-of-its-kind and longest running coastal cleanup campaign in the world with the highest number of people participating in it.
- The Campaign will culminate on "International Coastal Clean-up Day" (17th September 2022).
- The day aims to increase public awareness about the accumulation and negative impacts of litter in oceans, on coastlines and on beaches.
- Globally, "International Coastal Clean Up Day" is celebrated on the third Saturday of September, every year.
- Through this campaign, a mass behavioural change among the masses is intended by raising awareness about how plastic usage is destroying the marine life.
- A mobile app “Eco Mitram” has been launched to spread awareness about the campaign and also for the common people for voluntary registration for the beach cleaning activity.
- Objectives:
- Running a cleanliness campaign along India’s entire coastline.
- To reduce marine litter.
- Minimising the use of plastics.
- Encouraging segregation of waste at source and waste management.
What is the Significance of a Clean Ocean?
- The ocean is a vital source of nourishment, especially to people in the world’s poorest nations.
- Many depend on fish for their primary source of protein; fisheries and aquaculture support the livelihoods of about 540 million people (8% of the world’s population) directly or indirectly.
- Overfishing, loss of biodiversity and the possible extinction of species put a stress on these limited resources. This could lead to famine, increased poverty and conflicts, including war.
- Learning to manage the ocean sustainably is the only path to global prosperity and peace.