The ocean is the origin and the engine of all life on this planet and it is under threat.

As the nation completes 75 years of Independence, an enormous citizen-led national campaign has started in India and has brought Indians together for 75 days from July 3 - September 17, 2022. This campaign has started our journey as individuals, as citizens, and as champions of change to remodel our country - one small step at a time. On World Coastal Clean-up Day (September 17, 2022), the world's largest beach cleaning activity will occur in India. This event will see participation from various Government of India ministries and departments, the most important corporates within the country, and most significantly you. A mobile application named “Eco Mitram” has been launched to spread awareness about the campaign and also for voluntary registration for the beach cleaning activity.


Why this voluntary mass movement is necessary?

  • Grabbing oil spills account for just 12% of the oil in our oceans. Approximately double the quantity of oil is carried out to sea via runoff from our roads, rivers, and drainpipes.
  • Approximately 12 million metric tons: That’s how much plastic we dump into the oceans annually which is about 26 billion pounds - or the equivalent of more than 100,000 blue whales — every single year. By observing the bitter truth it is estimated that by 2050, ocean plastic will outweigh all of the ocean’s fish.
  • The maximum dumping of plastic is done by Indonesia and India than anywhere else - together, they contribute more plastic to the world's coastal environments than the next seven countries combined, including the United States, which ranks third in the list.
  • Large quantities of agricultural nutrients/fertilizers such as nitrogen can stimulate the explosive growth of algae. When the algae decompose, oxygen in the surrounding waters is consumed, creating a vast dead zone that can result in mass die-offs of various marine lives.
  • The average seafood consumer is consuming 11,000 tiny plastic fragments per annum. The harmful chemicals in these plastics can accumulate in our bodies over time and eventually cause bioaccumulation leading to severe health problems. Let me elaborate: Bluefin tuna that Japanese restaurants use as their favorite sushi dish to serve might not be safe. They might have a high mercury level which is toxic for the body. So beach cleaning means creating a healthier world.

  • In 2004, scientists observed 146 hypoxic zones (areas of such low oxygen concentration) in the world’s oceans. By 2008, that number had increased and jumped to more than 400. In 2017, in the Gulf of Mexico, oceanographers detected a dead zone that was nearly the size of New Jersey  - the largest dead zone ever measured.
  • Ocean acidification makes it more difficult for bivalves such as mussels, clams, and oysters to form shells, decreasing their likelihood of survival, upsetting the food chain, and impacting the multibillion-dollar shellfish industry. The corals are also destroyed by the industrialist for cosmetic making and also are destroyed by the microplastics such as sunscreen.
  • Noise pollution generated by shipping and military activity can cause cellular damage to a category of invertebrates that features jellyfish and anemones. These animals are a significant food source for tuna, sharks, sea turtles, and other creatures.
  • Ocean plastic may be broken into smaller pieces — called microplastics — by sun exposure and wave action, after which it can find its way into the organic phenomenon.
  • Deep-sea ocean mining causes pollution and disruption at the ocean beds. Drilling for substances such as cobalt, zinc, silver, gold, and copper creates harmful sulfide deposits deep in the ocean creating negative impacts.

How we can contribute to make the oceans clean with some cool alternatives?

  • Use trash bins with lids because most of our wastes these days consist of lightweight plastic packaging, it can easily be blown away if it’s not contained well. 
  • We should try to have tap water on beaches to avoid single-use plastic bottles. In fact, figures show that about 14% of all litter comes from plastic beverage containers.

  • The bottle is made from seaweed - Ohoo bottle. The bottle is manufactured by the process of spherification with various colors and flavors, which results in an edible membrane or capsule. It can hold any liquid from soap to soda. The best part is, that it will biodegrade naturally in 4-6 weeks. It creates five times less carbon dioxide, nine times less energy than producing one real plastic bottle, and costs even less.

  • The conventional surfboard is toxic as it is manufactured from polyurethane foam and the coating of resin is applied over it which won't degrade even when discarded. When it peels off into the ocean, it will harm any marine creature swallowing large amounts of it. The surfboard is made up of mushrooms which are harvested and dried into Myco Foam, which is just as strong and sturdy as conventional surfboard foams and can be used as it will naturally decompose when broken.


  • Starch combined with polyurethane can produce a bioplastic bag that is thinner but stronger than conventional plastic bags. The starch can be French Fries waste, sugarcane waste, etc...

  • Sorghum flour can be used to prepare vegan spoons and forks. One can consume it after having the food or can be degraded easily when discarded. These utensils can have an average lifespan of three years if it is stored properly. Also, it costs less to produce i.e. 100 spoons of sorghum floor is equivalent to 1 plastic spoon.

  • Cassava root crop can be used as a primary material in their rain ponchos and bio-bags. Using cassava starch, vegetable oil, and organic resins we can manufacture biodegradable and compostable cassava plastic. The best part is that it looks and feels like plastic but it’s 100% eco-friendly



Why cleaning of local beach necessary?

  • Showcases the beach to the international community giving an international identity. More cleaner the beaches, the more the Blue Flag Certifications.
  • It does attract sustainable tourism and improves incomes and livelihoods. This will help in building up the economy from the grassroots level. The local campaign like VOCAL-FOR-LOCAL can be boosted by such activities.
  • It does improve public understanding of natural and cultural features.
  • Protects and conserves the unique natural and cultural assets.
  • Promotes a healthier and safer environment
  • The ocean is a vital source of nourishment, especially for people in the world’s poorest nation
  • Learning to manage the ocean sustainably is the only path to global prosperity and peace. 
  • Overfishing, loss of biodiversity, and the possible extinction of species put stress on these limited resources. This could lead to famine, increased poverty, and conflicts, including war.
  • 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.


Beach cleanup projects are like ripples in a pond. They do help us in beach restoration. Cleaning up of the beach at regular intervals helps in keeping the place worthy enough to visit and also helps in preventing waste to accumulate on the sea beds. By simply volunteering, as a donor, or by just an awareness campaign we can make the place even. So let's take the oath together to keep our environment clean and safe so that we can provide a sustainable environment for future generations.