Navy cum eco-warriors step in waste and step out clean, click to know how

New Delhi, June 24: Taking Swachhta on their shoulders like their duty, the Naval personnel in Kochi on Saturday undertook clean-up of the 2.5 km Backbay channel - also called as Venduruthy channel, to make it plastic-free and devoid of all non-biodegradable wastes. A team of 300-400 personnel of Southern Naval Command (SNC) led by Vice Admiral A.K. Chawla joined the endeavour of removing the considerable amount of plastic waste which had accumulated in the channel over the years thereby depleting the mangroves and affecting the local flora and fauna.

 

 

The channel connects to the Kollam-Kottapuram channel and runs along the western side of the naval residential enclave of Katari Bagh.

 

Shakritha Suresh Babu, the local councillor was also present during the event. Four truckloads of non-biodegradable waste were removed by the personnel during the day’s activity

INS Venduruthy has taken various initiatives to clear the channel on a regular basis and to also plant ‘Vetiver’ (also known as Ramacham in Malayalam) plants that are known to prevent soil erosion and to restore the natural ecosystem.

 

The event coincides with the platinum jubilee year of INS Venduruthy which is also the oldest naval base of the country. As part of the platinum jubilee, INS Venduruthy is also carrying out various outreach activities, which include extending help to the residents of Vathuruthy Village, where the majority are migrant labourers.