As part of the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2026 and in observance of World Tourism Day, ICAR-CPCRI successfully organized a comprehensive cleanliness and awareness drive on 27^th September 2026 at the Kottapuram Houseboat Terminal in Nileshwar, Kasaragod, Kerala, under the focal theme “Clean Tourist Destinations.” Kottapuram serves as the highly acclaimed, high-footfall gateway to the pristine Valiyaparamba Backwaters, where the Tejaswini River winds through dense coconut groves and local fishing villages before merging with the Arabian Sea at the nearby Azhithala estuary. Approximately 35 participants, comprising scientific, technical, administrative, and contractual staff members, actively engaged in rigorous de-littering operations across the terminal waterfront, walkways, and boat boarding points. Beyond physical cleanup, the team systematically collected and segregated accumulated plastic and solid waste to facilitate eco-friendly municipal disposal, while conducting interactive spot-awareness sessions with local houseboat operators, tourists, and nearby vendors. By emphasizing the hazards of single-use plastics and the necessity of source segregation, the initiative successfully fostered environmental accountability, reinforcing that maintaining pristine public spaces is a collective civic responsibility vital to safeguarding fragile river ecosystems, enhancing the visitor experience, and driving long-term sustainable tourism.