Project SOS to keep beaches clean launched at Tannirbavi

Mangaluru: One of the major revenue earners for a coastal district, apart from all the other attractions, is its beaches. And there is hardly anyone who could truly enjoy playing or sitting in the sand, watching the sunset, on a beach strewn with trash.

Animal rescuer Tauseef Ahmed launched ‘Project SOS’ at the Tannirbavi Beach, aiming at public participation to keep the beach clean.

He told TOI, “The project targets keeping the beaches and our shorelines clean and giving an opportunity to the public as well to be a part of the initiative. The same idea has been implemented successfully abroad in places like Grayton Beach, Florida, Atlantic Beach, North Carolina, Ventnor Beach in the UK, and so on,” he said.

The idea behind this initiative was the sighting of olive ridley turtles in Mangaluru this year after a gap of a whopping 30 years, said Tauseef.

“Olive ridleys are an endangered species of turtles who nest in masses usually known as ‘arribada’, or arrival, where thousands of turtles come to the shores during the nesting season. Although Mangaluru may not be a favourite spot for them, turtles used to frequent our shores until the 80s, after which they stopped. Surprisingly, this year quite a few nests were spotted, including at Tannirbavi beach, which is a positive sign because they prefer cleaner and pollution-free places. Maybe the efforts of cleaning beaches are showing results in the last few years, and hopefully, this little attempt of ours will give the general public and animal lovers as well a chance to be a part of this,” he said.

Tauseef urged those visiting the beach to pick a basket when they visit the beach, and to collect whatever junk they find and pour it into the bigger baskets, thereby helping keep the beaches and the homes of turtles clean. “The fact lies in the point that, as per studies, only one hatchling out of a thousand makes it to adult life in Olive Ridleys, so it’s even more important to save these beautiful animals,” he said, adding that the response has been positive so far with people picking up baskets and collecting trash.

The project is supported by Yojaka. “It has been two weeks since I placed the baskets and I am getting positive messages from the people,” Tauseef added.

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