It’s World Environment Day today (5 June), and this year’s theme is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’. Environmentalists and activists, joined by governments and the common man from all walks of life, have made a pitch for a plastic-free universe to safeguard the habitat for present and future generations.

Extending his contribution to the cause, internationally acclaimed sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created an installation on the Puri sea beach to create awareness about plastic pollution.

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Sudarsan Pattnaik’s latest work of art is a turtle made with discarded plastic bottles. The green turtle is 50 feet long and 30 feet wide.

He shared on Twitter the sand installation made by him.

On #WorldEnvironmentDay :My Sand Turtle with installation of plastic bottles at Puri beach in Odisha with message #BeatPlasticPollution⁠ ⁠
⁠ ⁠ pic.twitter.com/aSwagzcwEU

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) June 5, 2018

He also shared a video of his art made on the Puri beach in the famous pilgrim town in the eastern state of Odisha.

Here’s the video.

My Biggest Sand Turtle, 50ft long & 30ft wide with installation of plastic bottles at Puri beach in Odisha with message #BeatPlasticPollution⁠ ⁠ for #WorldEnvironmentDay⁠ ⁠ pic.twitter.com/oaz07aYdrO

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) June 5, 2018

The World Environment Day is an annual event organised by the United Nations to create awareness about the importance of saving the earth. The host nation for this year’s celebrations is India, and the theme of Beat Plastic Pollution is an initiative of India. In keeping with the theme, eateries across the country have adopted a #RefuseTheStraw campaign. Plastic straws, like plastic bottles, are a major source of pollution.