MUMBAI, 27 SEPTEMBER, 2024 (TGN): Ecospire, a learner-led environment club from JBCN International School, Parel, and two NGOs Seafins and Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) united for a Mumbai-wide beach cleanup on 19th September soon after the immersion of over 200,000 idols during the Ganesh festival.
More than 200 volunteers participated from four schools and the NGOs in a city-wide cleanup, which took place at three major beaches – Girgaon Chowpatty, Mahim and Prabhadevi. The volunteers collected waste, not only in the form of partially broken idols in the sea but also plastic and debris. The collected waste was provided to the hardworking officials of the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC), who worked tirelessly with the volunteers to cleanup the city’s beaches.
‘Ecospire,’ co-founded by three learners Nirvaan Phophalia, Aarav Jain, and Aarav Chaudhary, is a learner-led body at JBCN International School, Parel, that raises awareness about environmental issues and gives learners a platform to contribute to on-field climate action initiatives. According to Nirvaan Phophalia, President and Co-founder of Ecospire “Addressing climate change is a shared responsibility. My co-founders and I are grateful to all the learners and environmental activists for their passion and dedication in coming together to make this happen.”
Mr. Gagandeep Chopra, the CAS Coordinator at JBCN International School, Parel, played a pivotal role in supporting and guiding the learners throughout this initiative.
The event’s success would not be possible without the two NGOs, Seafins and EFI. Seafins is dedicated to protecting marine life and the environment. Rizwan and Malvika, co-founders of Seafins stated: “Seafins believes in spreading awareness to all age groups, especially the youth, as they are the Changemakers to a safer and greener planet. We like to empower and collaborate with them so as to leave better footprints for the next generation and inspire learners to protect their environment.” EFI is a wildlife conservation and habitat restoration group that focuses on real-time and result oriented conservation efforts.
The success of the cleanup drive has set the stage for greater collaboration and more environmental activities in the future. It was uplifting to witness schools, NGOs and the municipal corporation supporting and promoting youth initiatives aimed at creating an environmentally friendly Mumbai.
