Powai Lake Cleanup Continuation

“A clean environment is a human right like any other. It is, therefore, part of our responsibility towards others to ensure that the world we pass on is as healthy, if not healthier than we found it.” 

– Dalai Lama

WHAT WAS SEEN BEFORE THE LAKE CLEANUP

19 May 2018 was a beautiful morning. Dawn broke and the sunlight filled up the sky with the chirping of birds near Powai lake, Mumbai. 40 – 50 young volunteers and citizens gathered, full of energy and determination to eradicate the plastic waste from the lake in order to preserve an ecosystem. This lake cleanup drive was lead by Earth5R under their flagship project ACT Powai. Volunteers of Swachhalay, Nisarg Powai and other citizens also joined the program. 

At the site of action, there was a huge heap of garbage accumulated on the edges of the lake. There was a lot of waste disposed at the site. This includes biodegradable and non- biodegradable waste, which needed to be segregated and recycled. To our surprise, a lot of cloth waste was also found, which can be easily recycled and reused.

Most of the other garbage comprised of plastic products. These plastic products gradually end up entering the lake and creating a disturbance in the ecosystem and around the lake.

THE PROGRESS

Around 30 large size bags of garbage were filled within an hour by the volunteers. During this, the core team was busy brainstorming about how to make the process of cleaning up the lake more efficient and easy. Many young volunteers also gave innovative ideas regarding the issue. 

MORE WORK IS NEEDED

Powai is comprised of 50,000 households who contribute towards the garbage generated around the lake. The major need was a proper system of segregating the waste. Also, we need to develop proper channels to differentiate the quality of waste and how they can be upcycled while using sustainable methods.

Under ACT Powai regular cleanup drives creates a sense of responsibility towards nature and that one needs to sustain it for future.

We, the team of Earth5R, would appreciate your efforts to help us take a step further to achieve a noble cause by joining the clean-up drive under ACT Powai project. As what we saw today, we reap tomorrow.