Port Blair, July 13: The Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands (ACOSTA), Port Blair of National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has conducted coastal clean-up activities for two days during 11-12th July 2018 at Rangachang on the way to Chidiyatapu, and North Bay of Andaman. Dr.N.V.Vinithkumar the officer-In-Charge informed that NIOT is carrying out these at Tamilnadu every year, similarly, ACOSTA is carrying out Swachh Bharath activities in various places of Andaman.
During these plastic bottles (950 nos), liquor bottles (380 nos.), metal cans, trashes like wrappers, paper plates, plastic cups, package covers, PUF foams of 120 kgs were collected within few hours of effort. The waste materials were collected using biodegradable bags and segregated according to the types like glass, plastic and other trash. In addition, the scientific staff of ACOSTA has conducted underwater SCUBA diving activities at North Bay coral reef areas and collected nearly 18 kgs of trash comprised of plastic covers, ropes, nets, glass bottles, metals, tetra packs of fruit juices etc. Some of the corals were found grown over the glass bottles. Many shelled organisms like invertebrates found trapped inside the plastic bottles. Fishing nets and ropes were found entangled within the coral reefs poses a threat to fishes and invertebrates. Taking a plastic bottle and other once use materials to the North Bay should be discouraged and should be removed as done in Jolly buoy island. Further regular cleaning drive in the mangrove areas of Minnie Bay in Dollygunj close ACOSTA campus is also being done.