Viju B, Feb 3, 2011, 01.56am IST
Times of India
MUMBAI: Nandkumar Pawar knows all the marshy paths that lead into the thick mangrove forest along Thane creek like a veteran city guide. He has waded through these mudflats many a time to catch fish and crabs. But on Wednesday, Pawar and 15 other volunteers were at the creek for a different mission altogether: to remove garbage and plastic which was choking the mangroves near Bhandup.
The initiative couldn't have come at a more opportune time, with Wednesday being celebrated as World Wetlands Day around the globe. After arduous four hours, the group collected 300 kg of non-degradable waste: thermocol, plastic glass bottles and footwear. The waste was then carried away by a dumper vehicle provided by the BMC.
The initiative was undertaken by two NGOs-Vanashkati and Ekvira Pratishtan-in collaboration with the state forest department and the BMC. and cleaned up 200 acres of mangrove forest in Bhandup.
"The garbage was more than we had excepted. In many areas, it was choking the roots of mangroves," said D Stalin, project director, Vanshakti.
Senior forest department official said that they were looking at more community initiatives. "More citizen groups should take the initiative to protect mangroves in their neighborhood," Suresh Thorat chief conservator of forests, Thane circle, said.
Environmentalists said that wetlands play a crucial role in reducing the effects of global warming. They are also home to a variety of life forms. "The Thane creek is home to over nine species of true mangroves, and migratory birds like Lesser Flamingos, Greater Flamingos, Pied Avocets, Painted storks, Eurasian Spoonbills and black winged stilts. The site should be included in The Ramsar List of wetlands," Stalin said.
Environmentalists said if pollution due to discharge of effluents into creeks is controlled the ecosystems here will get a boost and the land will be a paradise for birds, marine life and countless other life forms found only in wetlands. "The city has five rivers, 68 lakes and thousands of acres of mangroves, besides beaches. It is a shame that we do not care to protect this natural assets. Not only are they important for the eco-system, they can also make up for the lack of open spaces in the city," Rishi Agarwal, secretary of Mangrove Society of India ( Mumbai) said.
Times of India
MUMBAI: Nandkumar Pawar knows all the marshy paths that lead into the thick mangrove forest along Thane creek like a veteran city guide. He has waded through these mudflats many a time to catch fish and crabs. But on Wednesday, Pawar and 15 other volunteers were at the creek for a different mission altogether: to remove garbage and plastic which was choking the mangroves near Bhandup.
The initiative couldn't have come at a more opportune time, with Wednesday being celebrated as World Wetlands Day around the globe. After arduous four hours, the group collected 300 kg of non-degradable waste: thermocol, plastic glass bottles and footwear. The waste was then carried away by a dumper vehicle provided by the BMC.
The initiative was undertaken by two NGOs-Vanashkati and Ekvira Pratishtan-in collaboration with the state forest department and the BMC. and cleaned up 200 acres of mangrove forest in Bhandup.
"The garbage was more than we had excepted. In many areas, it was choking the roots of mangroves," said D Stalin, project director, Vanshakti.
Senior forest department official said that they were looking at more community initiatives. "More citizen groups should take the initiative to protect mangroves in their neighborhood," Suresh Thorat chief conservator of forests, Thane circle, said.
Environmentalists said that wetlands play a crucial role in reducing the effects of global warming. They are also home to a variety of life forms. "The Thane creek is home to over nine species of true mangroves, and migratory birds like Lesser Flamingos, Greater Flamingos, Pied Avocets, Painted storks, Eurasian Spoonbills and black winged stilts. The site should be included in The Ramsar List of wetlands," Stalin said.
Environmentalists said if pollution due to discharge of effluents into creeks is controlled the ecosystems here will get a boost and the land will be a paradise for birds, marine life and countless other life forms found only in wetlands. "The city has five rivers, 68 lakes and thousands of acres of mangroves, besides beaches. It is a shame that we do not care to protect this natural assets. Not only are they important for the eco-system, they can also make up for the lack of open spaces in the city," Rishi Agarwal, secretary of Mangrove Society of India ( Mumbai) said.
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