Puri: The Puri district administration has launched ‘Mo Beach’ initiative to keep the beach litter free. A mega beach clean-up drive was organised at Devi Turtle Zone (Jahania Beach) in Astarang Tuesday.
About 120 participants from Prajapita Brahmakumari, RSS, Biju Yuva Vahini, gram panchayat staff, local youths joined the drive enthusiastically.
The main motto of ‘Mo Beach’ initiative is to keep the beach free from garbage. Moreover, the administration has decided to create awareness among the tourists, students not to dump garbage including plastic water bottles and polythene bags on the beach. Therefore, to make the drive a successful one on the first and third Tuesday of every month, beach clean-up drives are conducted in all the beaches of Puri.
The district administration is focusing on making the Puri beaches free from ocean pollution and the 18-km stretch of Devi turtle nesting zone safe for turtles.
“Idyllic beaches connected to Devi turtle nesting zone like Daluakani beach, Sahan beach and Devi Island will be given special priority as it is very important for the ensuring the safety habitat of endangered marine species like olive ridley sea turtle, red crabs, and to protect mangrove forests from the plastic hazards,” said Saumya Ranjan Biswal a man well-known for his beach cleaning drive at Asatarang.
Personalities like Dushmant Parida, convenor of Astaranga Prajapita Brahmakumari group, local Sarapanch Bidyulata Biswal and many other beach clean-up activists were present at the programme.