Russian Tourists Clean Fort Kochi Beach in Kerala

Kerala Tourism found itself in an embarrassing situation as a group of proactive foreign tourists took it upon themselves to clean up the historic Fort Kochi beach. This incident, captured in a viral video and images, featured Russian women diligently clearing the beach of various pollutants and leaving a thought-provoking message on the collected waste bags. Responding swiftly to this eye-opening episode, the Tourism Department, in alignment with its Tourism Vision 2025 focused on sustainable tourism development, has initiated an inquiry into the current state of Fort Kochi Beach.

Officials are tasked with providing a comprehensive report, addressing concerns raised by the incident, and evaluating the effectiveness of current conservation efforts.

The video showcased the Russian tourists' commendable efforts, highlighting the need for a more robust waste management system. C Satheesh, President of the All Kerala Tour Guides Association, was present during the beach cleanup, underscoring the significance of the issue. Allegations surfaced regarding the Cochin Heritage Conservation Society's effectiveness in maintaining the cleanliness of the beach.

Russian Tourists Leave a Message For Indian at Kochi Beach

Adding an element of international collaboration, the tourists left a powerful message on their collected bags, urging locals to take responsibility for their surroundings. The message emphasized the importance of actively participating in efforts to "cleanse your life, collect trash, fill a pocket with it, burn it or bury it."

This incident has not only spotlighted the pressing issue of beach pollution but has also ignited demands for more stringent and proactive beach-cleaning measures.

The Fort Kochi beach, once a majestic destination, was found strewn with various forms of litter, including plastic, water hyacinth, thermocol, and glass bottles, all accumulating during low tide. Stakeholders argue that the daily cleaning efforts by approximately 20 sweepers and garbage collectors are insufficient to combat the rising tide of pollution.