Mumbai News: Marine Debris Clean-Up Drive 7.0 Successfully Conducted At Malvan; See Pics

Malvan, Sindhudurg, April 9, 2025: A large-scale Marine Debris Clean-Up Drive 7.0 was successfully carried out at Malvan, with the honourable presence of District Collector Mr. Anil Patil and Tehsildar Ms. Varsha Jhalte. The campaign witnessed strong administrative support and community participation, making it a remarkable effort toward marine conservation.

Led by trained scuba divers, the operation took place from 8:00 AM to 1:30 PM, covering approximately 3 hectares of the seabed. The team successfully removed 360 kilograms of non-biodegradable marine waste, with a significant portion being ghost nets—abandoned fishing nets that pose severe threats to marine biodiversity.

These ghost nets often entangle marine creatures, leading to injury or death, while also disrupting ecological balance. Over time, they degrade into microplastics, which enter the food chain and eventually impact human health.

The initiative was led by Vanashakti and supported by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). Key collaborators included the Mangrove Cell - Malvan, Malvan Municipal Council, Fisheries Department (Malvan), Neelkranti, and Youth Beats for Climate.

Forest officers from the Mangrove Cell, staff from the Fisheries Department, Vengurla, and Talathi Mr. Dalvi were actively involved. Prominent attendees included Mr. Ravikiran Toraskar and Dr. Jyoti Toraskar from Neelkranti, along with faculty and a large group of students from S.K. Patil College, who enthusiastically supported the drive.

This clean-up not only highlighted the critical issue of marine pollution but also emphasized the urgent need to reduce human intervention in delicate marine ecosystems.

The collective effort reflects a growing awareness and commitment to protecting our oceans—for marine life, for the planet, and for future generations.