Kochi: Hundreds of students, researchers, teachers and local residents took part in a large-scale beach cleaning drive across four locations in Ernakulam district on Saturday as part of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2025.

The event, observed globally on the third Saturday of September, was coordinated in Kerala by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through its Kochi-based Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE). Clean-up activities were carried out simultaneously at Puthuvype, Cherai, Kuzhupilly and Munambam beaches from 7 am onwards. In total, the four locations recorded the removal of over 1,800 kg of waste.

The campaign was formally launched at Puthuvype Lighthouse beach by RS Maheskumar, scientist G and head of CMLRE, in the presence of Elamkunnappuzha grama panchayat president Rasikala Priyaraj and other local representatives.

Speaking at the launch, Maheskumar stressed the need for sustained efforts to keep the beaches clean.“Our beaches must remain clean not just on this day, but throughout the year. Marine pollution is a serious threat to ecosystems and livelihoods, and it is our responsibility to keep our coastlines safe,” he said.

Around 230 participants, including students and faculty from CUSAT, KUFOS, St. Mary’s HSS Vallarpadom, Santa Cruz High School Ochanthuruthu and Govt. HSS Elamkunnappuzha, collected nearly 480 kg of waste, including 100 kg of plastic at the beach.

At Ambedkar Beach, Cherai, the drive was inaugurated by Pradeep Putheri, member of Vijnana Vardini Sabha. Students from St. Albert’s College and SMHS School joined hands to remove 497 kg of litter, of which 142 kg was plastic.

Kuzhupilly beach saw participation from St. Augustine’s Girls HSS, SDPY KPM High School, Hidayathul Islam HSS and local panchayat officials. Together they cleared 256 kg of waste, with about 125 kg of it plastic.

The largest haul came from Munambam beach, where 190 students from SNM College, Maliankara, along with Panchayat members, collected 625 kg of waste, including 376 kg of plastic. The programme was inaugurated by Jitha TH, principal, SNM College, and presided over by Pallipuram panchayat president Ramani Ajayan.