Navi Mumbai Mangrove Cleanup Drive Marks World Wetland Day with Massive Community Effort
A significant mangrove cleanup initiative was successfully conducted in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, coinciding with World Wetland Day. This event was a joint endeavor organized by the Vanashakti Foundation, Mangrove Foundation, Rotary Club, Henkel, and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) Solid Waste Management department.
Widespread Participation from Students and Volunteers
The cleanup drive saw committed involvement from 80 students of Karamveer Bhaurao Patil (KBP) College in Vashi. They were joined by volunteers from Navi Mumbai Shapers, NMMC staff, Forest Department officials, Beach Please India, Henkel employees, and members of the Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai (RCNM) Joy of Giving.
Over 1200 kilograms of waste were meticulously removed from the mangrove stretches across Navi Mumbai during this day-long program, highlighting the scale of the environmental effort.
Educational and Cultural Highlights of the Event
The program featured an educational and cultural segment with 20 children from the tribal belt of Tansa. These young participants raised their voices on pressing environmental issues and performed a sustainability-focused street play titled "Saviours of Life", enacted by the Vanashakti Living Theatrical Group.
An awareness talk was conducted by environmental practitioners and specialists, including Stalin D and Kshitija, a marine biologist from the Mangrove Foundation of Maharashtra. This session attracted 118 students and teachers from Sadhu Vaswani International School in Sanpada, members of the Interact Club of the Rotary Club of Smart City, 35 students and teachers from VIBGYOR Belapur, 110 students of NMMC School No 112 in Karave Gaon, along with Henkel employees and Rotary members.
Presence of Senior Officials and Key Statements
Senior officials from the Forest Ministry and NMMC attended as distinguished guests. Notable attendees included Deputy Municipal Commissioner Dr. Ajay Gadade, Dnyaneshwar Rakshe, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Mangrove Division, and Sanjay Sandanshiv, Scientist Grade-2-cum-Under Secretary from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Maharashtra.
Speaking on the occasion of World Wetland Day, Rekha Sankhala, President of RCNM Joy of Giving, emphasized the importance of the initiative. "Wetlands are among our most valuable yet most vulnerable natural assets. Through this Rotary-Henkel CSR initiative, we aim to engage young minds and the wider community in understanding why protecting these ecosystems is essential for our cities and our future," she stated.
Impact and Future Implications
This collaborative effort not only resulted in the substantial removal of waste but also fostered environmental awareness among participants. The involvement of diverse groups, from tribal children to corporate employees, underscores a growing community commitment to preserving Navi Mumbai's vital mangrove ecosystems. Such initiatives are crucial for promoting sustainable urban development and protecting biodiversity in the region.
