Nationwide Coastal Cleanliness Campaign 2026

Summary of "स्वच्छ सागर, सुरक्षित सागर" Campaign and Scientific Coordination Meeting

Campaign Overview:

• Event: Nationwide coastal cleanliness campaign titled "स्वच्छ सागर, सुरक्षित सागर"
• Duration: Scheduled from September 10 to September 19, 2026
• Objective: To promote environmental protection through public awareness and community participation.

Government Initiatives:

• Ministerial Leadership: Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, chaired a high-level review meeting to enhance coordination among national scientific institutions.
• Focus Areas: Emphasis on technical innovation, public participation, and inter-departmental collaboration to maximize national impact.

Meeting Highlights:

• Participants: Senior officials from various departments including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Biotechnology Department (DBT), and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• Action Report Review: Follow-up on decisions from previous coordination meetings was conducted.
• Integrated Ecosystem Approach: Encouraged scientific departments to operate as a cohesive ecosystem rather than isolated entities.

Communication Strategy:

• Public Awareness: A comprehensive communication strategy to showcase India’s scientific achievements over the past twelve years, particularly highlighting the achievements of the current government.
• Digital Outreach: Plans to enhance digital awareness through videos, documentaries, infographics, and success stories.
• National Programs: Inclusion of initiatives like the National Research Foundation (NRF), National Quantum Mission, and the Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) plan in public communication efforts.

Scientific Achievements Documentation:

• CSIR is preparing a publication documenting its key achievements over the past twelve years, set to be released during its establishment day later this year.

Inter-Ministerial Cooperation:

• Discussions on enhancing inter-ministerial collaboration to foster innovation and improve governance.
• Review of progress on collaborative programs involving major scientific organizations such as ISRO, BARC, and others.

National Programs and Events:

• Preparations for major scientific events like the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2026 and National Space Day 2026 were discussed.
• Strategies for ensuring broad participation from researchers, industries, startups, and the general public in these events.

Research and Public Engagement:

• The meeting underscored the importance of research excellence, technological innovation, and public engagement in advancing India's scientific ecosystem.
• Review of the SARAL_AI platform's usage to make research project information more accessible to the public.

Key Takeaways:

• Commitment to Science: The Government is dedicated to making science more accessible and impactful in alignment with national development priorities.
• Collaborative Governance: Emphasis on sharing best practices and strengthening collaborative governance across the scientific community.

Conclusion:

The "स्वच्छ सागर, सुरक्षित सागर" campaign and the associated high-level meeting signify the Indian government's commitment to integrating scientific innovation and public participation in environmental conservation efforts, while also enhancing communication about its scientific advancements.