Kochi: Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi took part in a drive to clean the noted tourism destination Fort Kochi on International Coastal Cleanup day on Saturday.
The actor turned politician picked garbage including food waste and sea weeds from the beach..A total of 1,800 kg of waste was collected during the drive inaugurated by the minister..Cadets from NCC, NGOs were among those who helped him.Gopi also administered an oath to keep the region clean.Gopi also planted a sapling at the Indian Coast Guard office on the occasion.The Indian Coast Guard led the campaign in Fort Kochi which has constantly been condemned for being badly maintained by the authorities. Petty traders used to clean the beach once a week. Still garbage piles up fast as there is no proper mechanism to deter tourists from littering the area.The area is under the control of Cochin Port Trust which has shown little interest in protecting the invaluable articles like the boiler of Lord Wellington dredger used by the legendary British marine engineer Sir Robert Bristow to convert Kochi into a natural port, a local resident said. The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd had envisaged a Rs 60 crore programme in association with Cochin Smart Mission to find a solution to keep it clean. But it has not gone further.Video of some Russian tourists cleaning the beach had gone viral sometime back.Fort Kochi, rich in heritage and culture, is ranked ninth among the top 25 tourist destinations suggested by the National Geographic’s in 2020.
