Bengaluru: HCLFoundation, the corporate social responsibility wing of HCLTech, recently spearheaded a significant coastal cleanup campaign in observance of International Coastal Cleanup Day 2024. This extensive initiative spanned six states, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Kerala, West Bengal, and Karnataka, mobilising over 2,426 volunteers who collectively removed 18,485 kilograms of waste from various coastal locations.
International Coastal Cleanup Day, celebrated on the third Saturday of September each year, serves to unite communities in their efforts to protect marine ecosystems from pollution and debris. In support of this global movement, HCLFoundation collaborated with local communities, HCLTech employees, and several environmental organisations, including the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, The Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve Trust, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Development Research Communication and Services Centre, SPANDAN, ReefWatch Marine Conservation, Plan@Earth, and Animal Warriors Conservation Society.
Dr Nidhi Pundhir, Senior Vice President of Global CSR at HCLFoundation, stated, “Preserving our coastlines is a shared commitment that goes beyond mere responsibility. Through this community-driven initiative, we aim to foster a lasting movement for marine and coastal preservation. Our goal is to raise awareness among citizens and encourage their active participation in protecting our environment and conserving our natural resources for future generations.”
In line with its commitment to coastal and marine conservation, HCLFoundation and its partners have successfully removed 135,000 kilograms of ghost nets and marine debris. Additionally, they have planted over 828,100 mangrove and shelter-belt saplings, restoring approximately 220 acres of coastal land. /BI
