Global Participation and Environmental Awareness Highlighted in Massive Coastal Cleanup Event
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Labour and Employment, Bhupender Yadav, led the G20 Mega Beach Clean Up campaign at Juhu Beach in Mumbai on Sunday May 21st. The event witnessed the enthusiastic participation of government officials, dignitaries, and citizens from various G20 nations and 37 locations across India.
Expressing his gratitude to all those who joined the campaign, Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasized the significance of preserving coastal and marine ecosystems. The G20 Mega Beach Clean Up campaign, organized under the G20 India Presidency, aimed to raise awareness about the adverse effects of marine waste on the environment and encourage individuals to take action.
Governor of Maharashtra, Ramesh Bais; Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde; Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey; Minister of Maharashtra, Mangal Prabhat Lodha; and Environment Secretary, Leena Nandan, along with senior officials from central and state governments, graced the occasion.
As part of the campaign, Minister Bhupender Yadav administered a pledge to keep oceans clean and healthy. The event witnessed extensive participation from G20 countries, invitee countries, state government officials, international organizations, and delegates attending the 3rd Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group meeting.
Internationally, 20 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and United States of America, actively participated in the Mega Beach Clean Up event. Additionally, invitee countries such as Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, and Singapore showed their commitment to environmental preservation.
Across India’s 13 coastal states and 9 Union Territories, clean-up activities took place on numerous beaches. The event demonstrated significant public involvement and showcased the spirit of “Jan Bhagidari” (people’s participation) under the Indian G20 Presidency.
The event featured several attractions, including a selfie point on the beach and a stall displaying recycled items made from plastic waste. Recycled plastic was transformed into benches, car dustbins, and other useful items, highlighting the importance of recycling and creating awareness about waste management.
Dignitaries actively participated in clean-up activities, contributed to the pledge wall, and appreciated the artworks created by school children. Renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik mesmerized attendees with captivating sand art featuring the G20 logo and Prakriti, the mascot for LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). Around 5,900 school students from across the country participated in an art competition on the theme of coastal and marine pollution. The top 100 paintings were selected and displayed at the meeting venue.
The concept of LiFE, promoted by the Indian Presidency, played a crucial role in the success of the event. LiFE advocates for individual behavior changes that address environmental issues effectively. It encourages community stakeholders to adopt climate-positive practices in their daily lives, fostering collective efforts to protect the environment.
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The Mega Beach Clean Up event marked the commencement of the third meeting of the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group, taking place in Mumbai from May 21 to 23, 2023. The meeting aims to facilitate discussions on the Ocean20 dialogue, which encompasses sharing best practices on science, technology, innovation, policy, governance, participation, and blue finance mechanisms. These deliberations will contribute to devising solutions for ensuring a sustainable and climate-resilient Blue Economy, in alignment with the priorities of the G20 India Presidency.