Volunteers in action: Mangroves Cleanup Drive marks 240th week, removing 1.5 tons of marine waste in Navi Mumbai | File Photo
Navi Mumbai: The 240th week of the Mangroves Cleanup Drive, achieved a major milestone with the first collaboration between Environment Life Foundation and WWF-India.
Partnering in this venture dedicated to the protection and restoration of mangrove ecosystems, was the Mangrove Foundation and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).
Over 100 dedicated volunteers participated and led to the removal of 1.5 tons of marine waste and debris from Navi Mumbai’s mangrove forests and coastline. Organizers highlighted the severe impact of pollution on these ecosystems and the urgent need for action.
Dharmesh Barai, Founder of Environment Life Foundation, expressed concerns over the increasing degradation of mangroves, describing them as an Amazon rainforest in the city’s backyard. ” Raising awareness and taking collective action to preserve these natural habitats is the need of the hour” said Barai.
The cleanup drive aligned with WWF-India’s Earth Hour initiative, focused on this year’s theme, #BeWaterWise, which emphasizes the importance of water conservation and protection. Volunteers actively participated and took a pledge to contribute to this vital cause.
The event coincided with Earth Hour, the world’s largest environmental movement, and World Water Day on March 22, reinforcing the urgency of water conservation efforts. The Inner Wheel Club Bombay North (IWCBN) extended its support to the initiative, further strengthening the impact of the cleanup drive.
Barai expressed optimism about future collaborations with WWF-India, hoping that partnerships with conservation organizations will enhance efforts to protect Navi Mumbai’s environment. Volunteers and environmentalists stressed the need for reducing waste and increasing public awareness to ensure long-term conservation.
The Mangroves Cleanup Drive, which has now completed 240 consecutive weeks, continues to gain momentum as efforts to protect Mumbai’s coastal ecosystem intensify.
