Each year some 350,000 people worldwide invest a precious day of their time to clean the beaches, banks of rivers and lakes in their local communities. Today, in 2008, the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC), coordinated globally by the Ocean Conservancy, a Washington DC based NGO, is in its 24th year. The ICC is the cornerstone to raise awareness about the seriousness of marine debris and by its cleanup to leave behind cleaner, healthier waters. It inspires ordinary people to volunteer and give their time to make a difference to our environment.

The Indian Maritime Foundation joined the ICC programme in 2003 and has been conducting the event throughout India on the third Saturday of September every year ever since with Cmde R Vir as the country coordinator.

It is the endeavor of the IMF to identify new community leaders among the young people to lead and organize the cleanup in their areas and to thereby continue to expand the ambit of the ICC in India.

During ICC-2007 in India, 6873 volunteers participated on the East and the West coast beaches, as well as the Mula, Mutha and Ravat river banks in Pune and Khadakwasla lake, and collected a total of 58,147 kgs of debris in 9002 bags, and the distance covered was 104 kms. 

During ICC-2008 in September , 6808 volunteers took part in India . They collected 10728 kgs of Marine Debris in 1816 bags, covering 82.0 kms.

During ICC - 2009 in September, 18284 volunteers took part in India. They collected 5288 kgs of Marine Debris in 8981 bags, covering 185.0 km.

During ICC - 2010 in September, 34753 volunteers took part in India. They collected 83175 kgs of Marine Debris in 12109 bags, covering 322.0 kms.

Volunteers who wish to join the ICC in September 2011and wish to organize the cleanup in their areas anywhere in India, please contact the IMF by email. indmarfdn@eth.net or mukundlele@yahoo.com