KOCHI: Various agencies, including Cochin Heritage Zone Conservation Society (CHZCS), Kochi corporation, district tourism promotion council (DTPC) and students of Sacred Heart College, Thevara, are joining hands for ensuring that Fort Kochi beach remains clean. The joint move started by these agencies and students on the Gandhi Jayanti Day last year continues on every Saturday.
On Saturday, around 100 students and others took part in the cleaning drive from 7am to 11pm. “We have been carrying out the drive ever since the project was launched on October 2 last year. We are trying to make Fort Kochi a model heritage centre with cleanliness. We do ensure people’s participation to successfully implement it,” an official with CHZCS said.
As of now, the daily cleaning works are being carried out by 24 Kudumbashree workers deployed for the purpose. “Though they do their job in a commendable manner, the floating waste being deposited from the sea every day is huge. So, the drive being carried out every Saturday morning has a key role in ensuring a clean beach,” said an official associated with the project said. “It is during Saturdays and Sundays that more visitors turn up. So, the cleaning drive helps us provide the visitors a clean beach,” the official said. The officials are planning to introduce mechanisation for cleaning the beach in a more effective manner. They are also planning to plant trees on vacant areas so as to beautify the place.
Despite the rising number of Covid-19 cases, Fort Kochi beach is witnessing more footfall. It is mainly those from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts who visit the beach in groups.
