Belapur: In a bid to mark World Earth Day and promote environmental awareness, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) kick-started a series of eco-friendly initiatives with a major cleanliness drive at Diwale Jetty near the creek on Monday.
Highlighting the growing threats to wildlife and ecosystems due to climate change, Additional Commissioner Sunil Pawar urged citizens to protect the five elements of nature — Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Sky — and called upon everyone to contribute actively to environmental conservation. “Preserving the planet is a shared responsibility,” he emphasized while addressing participants at the event.
The drive was conducted as part of a statewide initiative led by the Maharashtra Government’s Environment and Climate Change Department, which runs from April 22 (World Earth Day) to May 1 (Pollution-Free Maharashtra Day). Under the guidance of Municipal Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, NMMC has lined up several events across the city during this period.
Monday’s clean-up operation witnessed enthusiastic participation from municipal officers, sanitation workers, local villagers, and NSS volunteers from SIES College, Nerul. The team focused on cleaning the creekside, including the wetlands and mangrove areas near the jetty. Plastic waste, discarded fishing nets, glass and plastic bottles were collected in large quantities and transported to the Turbhe solid waste management facility.
“Large volumes of garbage are brought ashore with the tide, posing a serious threat to aquatic life,” noted an NMMC official. Citizens were urged not to dispose of waste into water bodies, stressing the need to protect marine ecosystems.
Participants also took the ‘Majhi Vasundhara’ (My Earth) pledge, reaffirming their commitment to sustainability. Key officials present included Dr. Ajay Gadade (Deputy Commissioner, SWM – Zone 1), Dr. Amol Palve (Assistant Commissioner, Belapur), Executive Engineer Rajesh Pawar, and other senior sanitation staff.
The Earth Day initiative will continue through May 1 with a host of activities under the theme “Save the Environment, Beautify the Earth.” These include tree plantation drives, plastic ban campaigns, and awareness programs promoting the ‘3 Rs’ – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
NMMC has appealed to citizens, especially students, to participate in large numbers and become active partners in shaping a cleaner, greener Navi Mumbai.
