MSS@100 Coastal Clean-up Week launched to tackle plastic pollution across 100 Indian beaches

To celebrate International Coastal Clean-up Day 2025, the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in Chennai launched on 17th September a weeklong coastal clean-up drive that will run till the 23rd, in partnership with HCL Foundation, Tamil Nadu Forest Department, INCOIS, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, local and government partners. The campaign also commemorates the birth centenary of Prof M.S. Swaminathan and his lasting contributions to sustainable fishing and livelihood security of coastal communities 

On 17th September, MSS@100 Coastal Clean-up Week was inaugurated at Kasimedu Beach, Chennai, by Supriya Sahu, additional chief secretary for Environment, Climate Change & Forests, along with Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chairperson, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Jayanthi M., chairperson, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), and Kasimedu Fishers Association.  Addressing 127 fishers, participants, and local and government officials, the speakers shared their perspectives on collaborating with fishing communities, addressing ghost gear and plastic pollution in our oceans, and the scope of the MSS@100 Coastal Clean-up Week. With the support of Rialto, they also unveiled two plastic bottle collection bins that were donated by MSSRF. 

“We still have fish in our waters now, but our future generations might not if plastic continues damaging marine life. We need to safeguard the future for our youth and stop polluting our oceans. The MSS@100 Coastal Clean-up initiative’s efforts aren’t just for today. Dr. M.S. Swaminathan told us that protecting our world is an everyday duty. The Tamil Nadu Government’s Meendum Manjapai Thittam replaces plastic bags with cloth bags. Unlike plastic bags that take 5,000 years to decompose, cloth bags break down much faster,” said Supriya Sahu.  

Dr Soumya Swaminathan said that the fishing communities are on the frontlines – they see the impact of plastic pollution better than anyone. “They’re in the waters with marine animals getting caught in plastic bags and waste materials. When we throw plastic into the environment, it doesn’t decompose like food waste. It breaks down into micro-plastics that fish consume, and when we eat those fish, we ingest harmful micro-plastics that damage our health,” she pointed out.

“Engaging fishing communities is a priority in coastal clean-up initiatives. Thank you to MSSRF and HCL Foundation for initiating clean-ups across 100 beaches,” said Jayanthi.

MSSRF staff, district-level authorities, partners and volunteers organised simultaneous clean-up efforts across 18 beaches in 10 districts spanning four coastal states – Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Embarking on a one-km stretch to conduct the clean-ups, the volunteers collected ghost gear, glass bottles, plastic slippers and other plastic debris.  On 17th September, they engaged 1250 volunteers to mobilise clean-up efforts across 19 km and collected 5074 kg of debris, which was handed over to recycling centres including MSSRF’s centre in the Gulf of Munnar, Forest Department of Tamil Nadu and Local Municipalities.

MSS@100 Coastal Clean-up Week 2025 is likely to mobilise 5,000 fishers, students, community members and volunteers to clear 50-70 tonnes of debris from a 75-100-km stretch of coastline. Spanning 100 beaches across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, West Bengal, Odisha and Gujarat, the drive will primarily target plastic debris and ghost gear. In addition, the initiative will also feature interactive sessions and community engagement programmes aimed at empowering participants with knowledge and tools for long-term coastal conservation. By fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within local communities, MSSRF hopes to create a ripple effect that extends beyond the cleanup week, inspiring ongoing efforts of the foundation on marine litter management to protect and preserve our coastal environments. 

The series of events also serves as a tribute to the 100th birth anniversary of Prof M.S. Swaminathan and his steadfast commitment to integrating the ecological security of coastal areas with the livelihood security of coastal communities—creating mutually reinforcing pathways toward sustainable coastal resource management.

(This article is based on a press release from MSSRF.)