Date:05/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/05/stories/2009010557290200.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Walkathon to create eco awareness

Staff Reporter

It was organised by the Coast Guard

— Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

GREEN WALK: Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Air Force personnel, their families and friends, students and civilians participate in a walkathon to promote awareness of environmental protection on Sunday.

Chennai: A five-kilometre walk along the Marina beach was organised by the Coast Guard on Sunday to promote awareness of environmental protection.

The walkathon is organised every year prior to the Coast Guard Raising Day that falls on February 1.

About 2,000 people including Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Air Force personnel and their families, students and civilians participated.

The Coast Guard plays an important role in protection of the marine environment as they prevent poaching and work for the protection of endangered wildlife in the oceans. Inspector-General S.P.S. Basra, Commander of Coast Guard Region (East), said the walk was to encourage people to keep the environment clean.