Archive · 7 Sep 2026
India Expands Swachh Sagar Campaign to Protect Its Coastline
India has a very long coastline, but some beaches and ocean waters are filled with plastic and other waste.
This pollution can harm fish, turtles, coral reefs, and people who depend on the sea.
The government created a campaign called Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar to help clean the coast.
The campaign asks students, families, fishermen, organizations, and government agencies to work together.
It began in 2022 with cleanups at 75 locations.
It later grew to 836 coastal locations and more than 100,000 volunteers.
The fifth edition will take place from September 12 to 19.
People will clean beaches, ride bicycles, join races, take part in science activities, and record their work online.
The goal is to make caring for the ocean a regular habit instead of a once-a-year event.
Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar was launched in 2022 as a citizen-led coastal cleanup campaign.
The campaign grew from 75 locations and 75 days to 836 coastal locations and more than 100,000 volunteers in its first year.
Its fifth edition will run from September 12 to 19 and include cleanups, cyclothons, marathons, education programs, and human chains.
More than 100 beaches will be coordinated by government ocean institutes, while Bisleri will support another 50 locations.
Organizers will digitally register, geo-tag, and log cleanup activities to measure collected waste and improve future campaigns.
- Who
- Government ocean institutes, the Indian Coast Guard and Navy, ministries, schools, volunteers, fisherfolk associations, women’s groups, and other partner organizations.
- What
- The fifth edition of Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar, a nationwide coastal cleanup and ocean-stewardship campaign.
- When
- September 12–19, with the largest single-day cleanup on September 19.
- Where
- Across India’s coastline, including more than 100 beaches and 50 additional locations supported by Bisleri.
- Why
- To reduce marine litter and plastic pollution, protect ocean ecosystems, and support coastal communities whose livelihoods depend on the sea.
- India’s coastline
- 11,098 kilometres, according to the article.
- Campaign launched
- 2022
- Initial scale
- 75 days and 75 locations
- First-year expansion
- 836 coastal locations and more than 100,000 volunteers
- Fifth edition dates
- September 12–19
- Planned beach coverage
- More than 100 beaches coordinated by government ocean institutes, plus 50 locations supported by Bisleri
- International Coastal Cleanup Day
- September 19, the campaign’s largest planned single-day cleanup