Navi Mumbai: The Environment Life Foundation's Mangrove Cleanup Drive is set to complete 300 consecutive weeks this coming Sunday, achieving a significant milestone in its weekly coastal clean-up initiative in Navi Mumbai. The forest department and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation have partnered with the drive, which has grown from humble beginnings into a major environmental movement.
From Three Volunteers to a Movement
The initiative began on August 15, 2020, with just three volunteers. Over time, it has engaged nearly 1.3 lakh people who have collectively removed more than 1,200 tonnes of waste from the coastlines of Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Mumbai. The drive was sparked when environmentalist Dharmesh Barai observed crabs trapped inside plastic waste at Nerul jetty during the Covid-19 lockdown. Along with friends Shriram Shankar and Rohan Bhosale, Barai launched the mission at Karave Jetty.
Mangrove Soldiers: Unwavering Dedication
The volunteers, known as 'Mangrove Soldiers', conduct the cleanup every Sunday without fail, regardless of weather conditions, from 7 am to 10 am. They remove solid waste from marshes and mangrove areas, including mattresses, medical waste, plastic packaging, and even sofas. According to the foundation, the weekly cleanup focuses on preventing further damage to mangrove ecosystems and nearby wetlands by clearing accumulated waste from sensitive coastal zones. In addition to the mangrove cleanup, the foundation is active in 'Plastic-Free Sahyadri' river conservation and wetland protection. The group's efforts have earned several state and national-level accolades.
Appeal for Public Participation
Barai appealed to nature lovers for wider public participation on the occasion of the forthcoming 300th week. “We consume resources from nature 24/7 but give nothing back. On our 300th week, I urge citizens to contribute just two hours of manual labour (Shramdaan) for a greener future,” said Barai.
Mayor to Join Cleanup
Navi Mumbai mayor Sujata Suraj Patil will encourage the cleanup volunteers by participating in the 300th week drive. The milestone event underscores the power of community action in environmental conservation.
