~GTU and Kamdhenu University conducted coastal clean-up, marine biodiversity assessment and awareness activities at Sikka under Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0.
Jamnagar, Gujarat, Sep 22 (VNI): Gujarat Technological University (GTU), through its Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) project, and Kamdhenu University conducted a series of awareness, outreach and field-based activities focused on marine environmental protection, coastal cleanliness and conservation of marine biodiversity under the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ ‘Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar 5.0’ (SSSS 5.0) initiative.
The activities aimed to create awareness about the importance of marine ecosystems, promote responsible behaviour towards coastal and ocean environments and encourage students and the wider community to participate in efforts for a clean, safe and sustainable ocean. Around 63 students and staff members participated in an Ocean Conservation Pledge, while a public awareness article titled “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar: Understanding Marine Life for a Clean, Safe and Prosperous India” was also published. Its Hindi title was “स्वच्छ सागर, सुरक्षित सागर: स्वच्छ, सुरक्षित और समृद्ध भारत के लिए समुद्री जीवन को समझना”.
As part of the campaign, an Ocean Olympiad 2026 was organised to engage students with issues related to oceans, marine science, biodiversity and environmental challenges. Around 50 students participated in the initiative, which provided them an opportunity to explore the significance of oceans from scientific, environmental and sustainability perspectives.
On September 19, 2026, a coastal clean-up, awareness and marine biodiversity assessment was conducted at Sikka in Jamnagar. A total of 21 students and staff members participated in the field activity. The team collected and appropriately disposed of plastic and other marine litter along the coast, while also conducting awareness activities related to marine environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. The field activity also included an assessment of marine biodiversity to document and understand the local coastal ecosystem and its biological resources as part of the ongoing research under the project.
The GTU Deep Ocean Mission project is led by Dr. Neelam Nathani, Assistant Professor, GTU-SAST and Principal Investigator, along with Dr. Chandrashekar Mootapally, Assistant Professor and Co-Principal Investigator, and Dr. Vaibhav Bhatt, In-charge Vice Chancellor, GTU and Co-Principal Investigator. Kamdhenu University is represented by Prof. (Dr.) Subhash Jakhesara, Dr. Prakash Koringa and Dr. Vivek Shrivastava as Co-Principal Investigators. The activities also received institutional support from Dr. K. N. Kher, Registrar, GTU.
The Sikka field activity received scientific and field support from Dr. Hitesh K. Kardani, Professor and Head, Fisheries Research Station, Sikka, Kamdhenu University, and his team. Their support facilitated the coastal fieldwork, biodiversity assessment and associated sampling activities.
GTU In-charge Vice Chancellor Dr. Vaibhav Bhatt appreciated the initiative and the activities conducted under the campaign. The GTU team emphasized that ocean conservation should extend beyond government initiatives and evolve into a people’s movement through active public participation, highlighting the need for sustained efforts to protect marine biodiversity and maintain clean, safe and sustainable coastal and ocean environments. VNI NEWS, GTU, Kamdhenu University, Sikka, Jamnagar, Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0, Deep Ocean Mission, marine biodiversity, coastal clean-up, ocean conservation, Gujarat
GTU Sikka coastal clean-up, marine biodiversity assessment, Kamdhenu University, Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar 5.0