Home / Environment / Navi Mumbai's 'Mangrove Soldiers' Hit 300-Week Cleanup
Navi Mumbai's 'Mangrove Soldiers' Hit 300-Week Cleanup
14 May
Summary
- The mangrove cleanup drive reaches 300 consecutive weeks this Sunday.
- Over 1.3 lakh people have removed 1,200 tonnes of waste since 2020.
- The initiative began after seeing crabs trapped in plastic waste.
The Environment Life Foundation's mangrove cleanup drive in Navi Mumbai is set to achieve its 300th consecutive week of service this coming Sunday. This significant milestone highlights a sustained commitment to environmental protection along the coast. The initiative, launched on August 15, 2020, has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings with three volunteers to engaging approximately 1.3 lakh individuals.
Over the years, these dedicated 'Mangrove Soldiers' have diligently removed more than 1,200 tonnes of waste from the coastlines spanning Navi Mumbai, Panvel, and Mumbai. The cleanup efforts focus on removing solid waste, including items like mattresses, medical waste, plastic packaging, and even sofas, from sensitive mangrove ecosystems and nearby wetlands. This commitment continues every Sunday, irrespective of weather conditions, from 7 am to 10 am.
The drive was initiated by environmentalist Dharmesh Barai after witnessing crabs trapped in plastic debris during the COVID-19 lockdown. Alongside friends Shriram Shankar and Rohan Bhosale, Barai started the mission at Karave Jetty. The foundation's work extends beyond this drive, encompassing 'Plastic-Free Sahyadri' river conservation and wetland protection. The group's impactful work has garnered state and national recognition, with Mayor Sujata Suraj Patil expected to participate in the upcoming 300th-week event to encourage volunteers.
