Pune: Community Cleanup Drive Collects 130 kg of Waste at Mula-Mutha River Banks Near Bundgarden Metro Station
Pune: Community Cleanup Drive Collects 130 kg of Waste at Mula-Mutha River Banks Near Bundgarden Metro Station
Pune: In a collaborative effort toward environmental conservation, Ocean Savers of India, Sea Scouts and Guides, and Rotary Club of Pune Central organized a riverbank cleanliness drive at the Mula-Mutha River Sangam near Bund Garden Metro Station on Tuesday. The event aimed to tackle pollution in the city’s rivers and raise public awareness about waste management.
The initiative was inaugurated by Captain Anand Dixit, President of the Indian Maritime Foundation (IMF), and witnessed participation from over 40 individuals. Members present included Commodore P.K. Malhotra, Rtn. Yezdi Batliwala, Rtn. Maithili Manakwad, Col Julius Rocque, and Dr. Gopi Shetty, alongside students and teachers from Polytechnic for Girls, Anjuman-I-Islam. A total of 130 kg of waste was collected and handed over to the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) for disposal.
Captain Dixit emphasized the urgent need to prevent plastic waste from entering rivers and oceans, warning of its long-lasting effects on ecosystems and human health. “More than 200 million metric tons of waste is dumped globally each year, threatening marine life and polluting our planet. Plastic remains in the environment for thousands of years, posing serious health risks by entering the food chain,” he stated. Dixit urged citizens to avoid disposing of plastic in rivers and streams.
Commodore P.K. Malhotra highlighted the significance of consistent cleanup efforts, saying, “The Indian Maritime Foundation has conducted cleanliness drives for over 15 years. With collective effort from citizens and local authorities, we can ensure litter-free rivers and sustainable livelihoods through a blue economy.” Malhotra was felicitated for his contributions to environmental protection.
Rtn. Maithili Manakwad, Maharashtra coordinator for Ocean Savers of India, underscored the importance of involving youth in such initiatives to foster responsibility toward preserving water bodies.
The event concluded with a collective pledge to maintain cleanliness and protect the environment for future generations.
