Beach caretakers
The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has implemented immediate measures to combat beach pollution through various initiatives, including the establishment of Beach Caretaker programs.
The primary objective of this program is to maintain the cleanliness of beaches across the country. The initiative was officially launched on 16th September 2018 at Dadalla Beach, Galle. Under the program, a local individual is appointed as a Beach Caretaker to oversee and maintain a designated stretch of polluted beach, typically about 1 kilometer in length.
The Beach Caretaker's responsibilities include:
- Regularly cleaning the assigned beach area (approximately 2 hours per day).
- Ensuring the beach remains free of trash on a continuous basis. In return for their services, the Beach Caretakers receive financial compensation, promoting both environmental conservation and community involvement.
- DoSD: Responsible for selecting Beach Caretakers and monitoring their performance.
- MEPA: Responsible for identifying polluted beaches, overseeing the duties of the Beach Caretakers, and compensating them for the services provided (i.e., beach cleaning).
This partnership underscores a commitment to both environmental conservation and social welfare by creating opportunities for vulnerable members of the community while maintaining cleaner beaches.
Under the program, Beach Caretakers are responsible solely for collecting non-degradable waste. Recyclable materials, such as PET bottles, other plastics, glass, and metals, are handed over to designated collectors and recyclers. Any remaining waste is transferred to the relevant Local Authorities for proper disposal.
We are proud to announce that 122 Beach Caretakers are currently deployed under this program, and MEPA aims to increase this number to 200 in the near future, covering 200 polluted beaches across the island. With this initiative, we aspire to ensure that all beaches in the country become pollution-free and provide a clean, relaxing environment for everyone to enjoy.
Beaches are invaluable natural resources that offer unparalleled beauty and peace of mind. Protecting these resources is essential to preserve their value for future generations. In this context, MEPA extends an invitation to the private sector to participate in this nationally significant program by contributing through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, in collaboration with MEPA.