Dr Jitendra Singh Reviews Preparations for ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar’ 2026 and IISF

The Minister described the initiative as a reflection of India’s growing national commitment toward marine ecological protection, coastal conservation and sustainable ocean governance.

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess preparations for the upcoming nationwide "Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar" (SSSS) 2026 coastal cleanup campaign and separately reviewed arrangements for the India International Science Festival (IISF) scheduled later this year in Pune.

The Minister emphasised the need for seamless coordination among scientific institutions, government agencies, educational bodies and civil society organisations to ensure large-scale public participation and effective implementation of both flagship national initiatives.

The review meeting was held at Prithvi Bhawan and attended by senior officials and scientists from the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), representatives from the Indian Coast Guard, Seema Jagran Manch, Paryavaran Sanrakshan Gatividhi, VIBHA and several stakeholder organisations.

Among those present were Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, MoES Joint Secretary Shri D Senthil Pandiyan, and Scientist G Dr Jagvir Singh.

Nationwide Coastal Cleanup Drive to Cover India's 11,098 km Coastline

Reviewing preparations for the 2026 edition of the Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign, Dr Jitendra Singh said the initiative would be conducted as a week-long nationwide movement from September 12 to 19, culminating on International Coastal Cleanup Day.

He said the campaign would mobilise participation across India's extensive 11,098-kilometre coastline, involving:

• Central and State Ministries

• Academic and research institutions

• District administrations

• NCC and NSS volunteers

• Youth organisations

• Civil society groups

• Coastal communities

• Educational institutions

The Minister described the initiative as a reflection of India's growing national commitment toward marine ecological protection, coastal conservation and sustainable ocean governance.

"This campaign is not merely a cleanliness drive; it is a people-led environmental movement aimed at protecting India's marine ecosystems and strengthening coastal resilience," Dr Jitendra Singh said.

Sagar App Helps Document Over 150 Tonnes of Marine Litter

A detailed presentation during the meeting reviewed the progress of the 2025 campaign coordinated by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR).

Officials highlighted the contribution of the Sagar App, an innovative citizen-science platform developed to encourage public participation in marine litter monitoring and coastal cleanliness efforts.

According to the review, the app has already facilitated the documentation of more than 150 tonnes of marine litter from various coastal regions across the country.

Experts noted that citizen-driven scientific reporting through digital platforms is emerging as an important tool in environmental governance, marine conservation and data-driven policymaking.

Campaign Linked to Scientific Monitoring Under PRITHVI Scheme

The Minister said the campaign is being implemented under the PRITHVI Scheme, integrating scientific monitoring with mass public participation.

The initiative supports long-term scientific efforts related to:

• Seawater quality assessment

• Marine litter management

• Coastal ecosystem conservation

• Shoreline erosion mitigation

• Climate resilience along coastal zones

• Ocean health monitoring

Dr Jitendra Singh stressed the importance of combining environmental awareness with scientific intervention and technology-enabled participation.

He called for greater involvement of volunteer groups, universities, schools and social organisations to expand the outreach and impact of the campaign nationwide.

India's Coastal Conservation Emerging as Global Model

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a sustainable Blue Economy, Dr Jitendra Singh said India's coastal initiatives are increasingly being recognised as examples of community-driven environmental stewardship backed by scientific institutions.

He noted that India's approach combines:

• Public participation

• Scientific research

• Digital innovation

• Institutional coordination

• Environmental sustainability

to create a scalable model for marine conservation and coastal management.

The Minister said the government is committed to strengthening marine ecological security while promoting sustainable economic activity linked to coastal resources.

"Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar" Campaign Gaining Momentum Since 2022

The Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar campaign was originally launched in 2022 as a 75-day inter-ministerial initiative aimed at reducing marine litter and cleaning coastal areas across India.

Since then, it has evolved into an annual nationwide environmental movement observed during the week of International Coastal Cleanup Day.

The campaign has witnessed growing participation from:

• Government departments

• Volunteers and NGOs

• Students and youth groups

• Coastal communities

• Environmental activists

• Research institutions

In 2025, the campaign was conducted from September 15 to 20, with extensive participation reported from coastal states and union territories.

India International Science Festival 2026 Preparations Reviewed

In a separate review, Dr Jitendra Singh also assessed preparations for the upcoming India International Science Festival (IISF) 2026, which is scheduled to be held in Pune during the third week of December.

The Minister discussed strategies to enhance participation from:

• Scientific institutions

• Researchers and innovators

• Startups

• Universities and colleges

• School students

• Young scientists and entrepreneurs

He stressed the importance of strengthening public engagement with science, innovation and emerging technologies.

The India International Science Festival has evolved into one of the country's largest science outreach platforms, showcasing India's advancements in scientific research, technology innovation and startup ecosystems.

Focus on Building Scientific Temper and Public Awareness

Dr Jitendra Singh reiterated that promoting scientific awareness and environmental responsibility among citizens is essential for achieving India's long-term developmental and sustainability goals.

He said initiatives such as the coastal cleanup campaign and the science festival help bridge the gap between scientific institutions and the public by encouraging citizen participation, innovation awareness and community-driven action.

Officials indicated that both initiatives are expected to witness wider participation in 2026, reflecting India's growing emphasis on environmental sustainability, science communication and technology-led development.