Mangaluru: The second Shramadan of the Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan by Mangaluru Ramakrishna Mission on Sunday ensured that the mess around premises of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, which has to ensure cleanliness of villages in the district, was cleared and the area was beautified.

Corporate trainer Vijay Menon from Kochi and Mangaluru Paint Dealers’ Association president Gurudatt Shenoy flagged off the second drive near the ZP premises in the presence of former MLC and Abhiyan mentor Ganesh Karnik and convener Swami Ekagamyananda.

A release from Abhiyan chief convener Swami Chidambarananda here quoted Mr. Menon as saying: “Swachh Mangaluru Abhiyan is an apt example of social responsibility and genuine concern towards humanity. Future India very much needs such Abhiyans. Its not just cleanliness drive but movement to rebuild the Nation.”

Divided into four groups, volunteers cleared garbage and unwanted shurbs in their assigned areas.

While members of Paint Dealers’ Association cleaned the area and road in front of government employees quarters, students of Nitte Physiotherapy Institute cleaned Urwa main road, the road in front of Infosys and road dividers.

Some other volunteers removed unused iron fencing from trees that now have grown up.

A large piece of land abutting the road leading to the ZP that had become a litter zone for the public was cleared during the drive.

While the volunteers have planned to turn this area into a small park, they cleaned the area of unwanted mess.

Earth movers and tippers were used to clear stones, sand and debris even as the ground was levelled.

The mission plans to build a park with accupressure walking track, open gym and a small garden.

Volunteers also removed unwanted about 20 iron protection grills fixed around trees when they were saplings and now have become nuisance to passers-by.

Meanwhile, the ninth Shramadan of Swachh Surathkal Abhiyan was carried out at Hosabettu, Kakkesalu and Honnakatte on Sunday.