In a concerted effort to safeguard marine ecosystems and promote sustainable tourism, the BRIC–Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, organized a major beach clean-up drive at Puri Beach on Monday.
The initiative was held as part of the nationwide “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar – Clean Coast, Safe Sea” campaign, backed by the vision of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Around 60 participants—comprising scientists, students, and staff members of ILS—gathered along the shoreline to collect and dispose of plastic waste, discarded trash, and non-biodegradable debris. Beyond physical restoration, the team engaged directly with local tourists, visitors, and vendors, emphasizing the crucial need to refrain from littering and to actively maintain a clean coastal habitat.
The drive was spearheaded by Dr. Debasish Dash, Director of the Institute of Life Sciences. Eminent academician Dr. Dinabandhu Sahoo, former Director of IBSD, Imphal, and currently a Professor at the University of Delhi, joined the effort alongside ILS researchers. Er. Binod Yadav from the Puri Lighthouse also participated, extending key local administrative support to the conservation initiative.
Addressing the participants and public, event leaders highlighted that maintaining pristine beaches requires a continuous, collective effort. They reiterated that public awareness, community ownership, and responsible tourism are vital components for protecting fragile marine habitats and mitigating the impacts of ocean pollution.
