NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    More
    NewsBytes
    Hindi Tamil Telugu
    NewsBytes
    User Placeholder

    Hi,

    Logout


    India Business World Politics Sports Technology Entertainment Auto Lifestyle Inspirational Career Bengaluru Delhi Mumbai Visual Stories Find Cricket Statistics Phones Reviews Fitness Bands Reviews Speakers Reviews

    Download Android App

    Follow us on
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Linkedin
     
    Home / News / Mumbai News / Mumbai couple collects 650 tonnes of garbage from Mahim Beach
    Mumbai

    Mumbai couple collects 650 tonnes of garbage from Mahim Beach

    Mumbai couple collects 650 tonnes of garbage from Mahim Beach
    Written by Pallabi C Samal
    Aug 08, 2018, 06:37 pm 3 min read
    Mumbai couple collects 650 tonnes of garbage from Mahim Beach
    Credits

    By next month, this Mumbai couple would reach 50th week of their mission: to keep Mahim Beach clean and plastic free. This week was their 46th and till now they have collected 650 tonnes of waste, with roughly 20 tonnes of garbage being collected every weekend. Their efforts were also awarded by UN Environment Head, Erik Solheim, on World Environment Day 2018.

    The couple started their mission after facing problems themselves

    Meet Indranil Sengupta and Rabia Tewari, who started collecting garbage after receiving a personal setback. It was in July-August last year when they shifted to a sea-facing apartment, but their dreamy mornings were clouded by heaps of garbage. The pitiable condition of the beach saddened them. "The strewn plastic started getting embedded in the sand," said Rabia, so she dialled the BMC helpline.

    BMC turned them down, so they wore gloves and started

    "Every time I'd call them, they would say, we are sending someone to pick up the waste, but no one would come," said Indranil. So they decided to take matters into their own hands. Inspired by Afroz Shah, beach-cleanup poster boy, they wore a pair of gloves each, headed towards the beach and started cleaning it. They were accompanied by two volunteers that day.

    "It's a ritual. We get an average of 25-30 volunteers"

    That was the start. Since then the couple, married for seven years, go to the beach every weekend sharp at 8AM and clean it for two hours. "It's a ritual for both of us. We get an average of 25-30 volunteers," narrates Rabia. Last Sunday, students of Class 7-10 from MET Rishikul Vidyalaya helped them clean the stretch from Hinduja Hospital towards Mahim Dargah.

    "BMC should collect waste manually or use waste-segregating machines"

    This couple doesn't just clean waste, they also ensure sand isn't collected. Indranil said, "BMC uses rakes to pick up the waste, but they collect more sand than plastic waste and huge amount of sand goes to the (Deonar) landfill." To avoid this scenario, the BMC can either "collect the waste manually or use machines that are able to segregate the waste and sand."

    "More manpower and machines should be deployed by civic body"

    They make a special mention of Ashok Khairnar, Assistant Commissioner G/North Ward, BMC, saying the civic body helps them, but the manpower allotted should be increased. Currently, 19 ground staff (of which only a few clean the beach) and two trucks are deployed to clean the entire 3-4km stretch from Mahim to Prabhadevi, as against the required 60-70 members and three excavators.

    The duo have installed waste bins for villagers

    The duo has also conducted awareness campaigns for Koli villagers, who defecate openly and dump their waste close to the sea. They hope that the civic body would come to collect them, but that hardly happens. So to avoid any further dumping, the couple has installed bins for them. They have also asked the BMC to install filtration system/mesh at the sea-meeting area.

    Don't rely on government always, own up as citizens: Indranil

    Indranil insists that instead of always relying on government, we as citizens should take initiatives. "My question is what all the government will do. We've created this mess over a period of time and it's our duty to clean. Civic responsibility is zero these days."

    Share this timeline
    Facebook
    Whatsapp
    Twitter
    Linkedin
    Latest
    Mumbai
    Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

    Latest

    Cost-of-living crisis: Stressed? These 5 tips may help Mental Health
    Grammy 2023: Know who'll perform and when, where to watch Grammy Awards
    Urmila Matondkar birthday special: 5 must-watch movies of iconic actor Urmila Matondkar
    Hair Toner 101: Why and how to use the product Hair Care

    Mumbai

    NIA receives mail threatening terror attack in Mumbai Mumbai Police
    Nawazuddin Siddiqui's wife's lawyer makes shocking claims against 'Haddi' actor Bollywood
    'Drunk' woman creates mid-air ruckus on Vistara's Abu Dhabi-Mumbai flight Vistara Airlines
    Rakhi Sawant's mother dies battling cancer, last rites in Mumbai Rakhi Sawant

    Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation

    BMC polls: Thackeray announces alliance with Ambedkar's grandson's party VBA Uddhav Thackeray
    Another Measles outbreak reported in Mumbai, 20th this year Measles
    HC nod to Thackeray's Sena faction for Dussehra rally Shiv Sena
    Ganesh Chaturthi: How is Mumbai gearing up for 10-day-long festivities? Mumbai

    Love Mumbai News?

    Subscribe to stay updated.

    Mumbai Thumbnail
    Indian Premier League (IPL) Celebrity Hollywood Bollywood UEFA Champions League Tennis Football Smartphones Cryptocurrency Upcoming Movies Premier League Cricket News Latest automobiles Latest Cars Upcoming Cars Latest Bikes Upcoming Tablets
    About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive Download DevBytes Find Cricket Statistics
    Follow us on
    Facebook Twitter Linkedin
    All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2023