A one day Field Study on marine biodiversity and coastal clean-up drive was organized jointly by Department of Biotechnology and NSS, on 28^th July, 2023 to celebrate World Nature Conservation Day. The students and faculty members visited the Marine Kingdom which hosts small to big aquatic animals many of which are threatened and near to extinction species. Students identified the flora and fauna at the marine kingdom and understood the roles they played at the various types of aquatic ecosystems. There were more than 250 species hosted under 5 native habitats: rainforest, gorge, mangrove, coastal and deep ocean ecosystems. Students learnt the conservation strategies and the need to implement nature saving practices in day to day life. After this, students visited Injambakkam beach for field study of the local flora and fauna present at the beach. Students also collected samples such as soil, ocean water, and sea weed for processing and future research activities. The students collected photos to identify the conservation status of the organisms and for study report preparation. Thereafter coastal clean-up drive was organized where students and faculty members collected the litter in the beach ecosystem and segregated as plastic, biodegradable and recyclable wastes. A total of 8 kgs of plastic waste and 1 kg biodegradable wastes was collected from the beach by the participants.

A total of 45 students and faculty members participated in this field study and clean-up drive. The students understood the various marine flora and fauna, their conservation status and importance of nature conservation. The students discerned the various practices in daily life that must be implemented to protect marine ecosystems. Students actively participated in coastal clean up drive and learnt hands-on about waste segregation.