Bethany Convent High School, San Jose de Areal, marked International Coastal Cleanup Day with a dedicated beach cleanup drive at Colva Beach, bringing together students, teachers, and local community members to highlight the urgent need for protecting Goa’s fragile coastal environment. The initiative was organised in collaboration with the Colva Village Panchayat and the Colva Biodiversity Management Committee, ensuring participation from local authorities and reinforcing the message of community responsibility towards safeguarding natural resources.
Students enthusiastically took part in clearing plastic waste, bottles, wrappers, and other non-biodegradable items from the shoreline, while also learning about the long-term environmental impact of marine litter on aquatic life, tourism, and public health.
Teachers and coordinators noted that such hands-on participation instils values of environmental stewardship among younger generations. Representatives from the Panchayat and the Biodiversity Management Committee emphasized that collective efforts are essential to keep Goa’s beaches clean, not just for visitors but also for sustaining the rich biodiversity that depends on healthy coastal ecosystems.