For years, dedicated volunteers have gathered at the Carter Road beach to clean-up the shoreline. These efforts have been nothing short of inspiring, with children, students, youth, senior citizens and even Bollywood celebrities coming together to restore the beach’s beauty. Their commitment to environmental conservation is commendable, however, despite their hard work, the problem persists.
The next day, fresh garbage washes ashore and the cycle of cleaning starts all over again. While these groups are solving the problem temporarily, they are not addressing its root cause. Our investigations have uncovered a major contributor to the never-ending waste accumulation – open drains leading directly into the sea. These drains are continuously discharging trash, plastic and other pollutants into the water, undoing all the hard work of cleanup volunteers.
Instead of spending countless hours cleaning the beach day after day, it is time for these passionate individuals and organisations to redirect their efforts towards more pressing civic issues. Mumbai has no shortage of challenges and the same dedication can be used to audit and improve public healthcare facilities, road maintenance, public transportation efficiencyand garbage disposal systems.
Beach cleanups, though noble, should not be the responsibility of children and young students. They should be enjoying the beach, playing, exploring marine life and learning about nature, and not picking up trash they didn’t create. Without intervention at the source, no amount of cleanup efforts will ever be enough to keep the beach clean. Hence, the BMC must take swift action to address the issue. It can consider the following suggestions in this regard:
Install Nets On Open Drains
A simple yet effective solution is to place strong and durable nets at the mouth of these drains to prevent solid waste from flowing into the sea. The nets must be cleaned regularly to ensure they do not get clogged, leading to further issues.
Waste Management Plan, Awareness Campaigns
The BMC should work on redirecting waste properly so that solid garbage does not enter water bodies. The community must be informed about how waste disposal impacts the environment and what they can do to help reduce pollution.
Fines For Littering & Dumping
Strict penalties must be enforced for businesses or individuals found illegally disposing of waste in these drains. It is time for the BMC to take full responsibility for maintaining the Carter Road beach. With immediate action to fix the root cause, we can ensure that beach cleanups become a thing of the past. Let’s advocate for long-term solutions and allow our beaches to remain clean – not just for a day, but forever.
