Maldives holds cleanup drives to mark the International Coastal Cleaning Day. International Coastal Cleanup Day was initiated by Ocean Conservancy Organizational in 1986.
The International Coastal Cleanup Day, initiated by the Ocean Conservancy, is an organisation that works to help protect the ocean from the challenges it faces every year. The purpose of the organisation is to conduct ocean cleanup programmes to save the conserve oceans. The programme is open for public participation and volunteers to join the programme.
Activities related to the International Coastal Cleanup Day are held in Maldives by Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with Environment Protection Agency, Red Crescent, Maldives Inland Revenue Authority, Maldives National Defence Force, Maldives Police Service and non-governmental organisations.
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In this regard, coastal cleanup drives were held in areas in the Male', Hulhumale', Villingili. This one week coastal cleanup drive was organised by the Ministry of Environment and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). One of the main aim of organising such an event is to contribute to by cleaning the beach, lagoon and sea and to make the public aware of the importance of such tasks, according to EPA.
The Coastal Cleanup Day of Maldives was inaugurated by the Minister of State for Environment and Energy, Abdulla Ziyad, in Hulhumale'. Speaking to media after launching the event, State Minister Ziyad said that improper waste disposal is a major factor contributing to the negative climate predicaments facing the world. He noted that some waste which are littered to the natural habitats are non-biodegradable waste which takes years to disintegrate. He said that the tourism and fisheries sector are also affected negatively due to improper waste management and disposal.