Over 400 take part in Coast Guard drive

MANGALORE: More than 400 students and public participated in the coastal clean-up drive-International Coastal Clean up (ICC) 2013- organized by Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at Tannirbhavi beach on Sunday.

The clean-up drive was organized to encourage the public to keep beaches clean.

Commandant Rajesh Mittal, said that NCC cadets, locals and school and college students participated in the event.

"The drive will increase awareness among the public and will contribute towards the formation of a better and cleaner society," he said.

"As today's children are tomorrow's citizens, the programme also aimed at educating children on the importance of nature and environment. The programme may also inculcate a sense of patriotism in students and motivate them to join coastal service courses," he added.

Indian coastal line is too vast and fishermen and people who reside near beaches are the main sources of information for security personnel, he said adding that the event will act as a bridge for friendly relationship between security forces and locals. "Many fishermen are not aware about duties of coastal guards. As we carry weapons with us, they are afraid to communicate with us. We are here to help our people," Mittal said.

Trophies were awarded to the teams for the level of enthusiasm exhibited by them. They were judged by the volume of debris collected by them.