UN green chief to join Versova beach clean-up on Sunday

MUMBAI: Stop polluting the planet,” Erik Solheim, head of the United Nations Environment Programme, urged the world barely a week ago. But he has endorsed a Mumbai initiative that he calls an inspiration to the UN. Solheim will be at Versova beach on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of Versova Resident Volunteers (VRV), formed to free the beach of litter.
The volunteers include Koli children, students, housewives and professionals, who descend on the beach every weekend, led by a young advocate, Afroz Shah.Solheim wrote to Shah recently, confirming his presence on October 2, and expressed his delight to finally be able to experience first-hand what renowned ocean advocate Lewis Pugh, who was here last month, saw. On Coastal Clean-up Day earlier this month, officials from the US and Norwegian consulates donned the gloves, joining 600 volunteers.
A year ago, the 2km beach was covered with a carpet of litter, which local fishing families told TOI had formed over two decades. But Shah’s efforts have paid off. Accompanied by regulars like actor Naresh Suri and businessman Amir Keshwani, and at times the Labrador retriever Diesel, weekend after weekend he has ignored the stench and braved rain or heat to sift through sand and pick up the tiniest bottle cap, a toothpaste tube, a torn shoe… The work attracted celebs from beyond Versova (see box).
“The problem of marine litter and plastic at Versova beach and other beaches is because of apathy of Mumbaikars to plastic and garbage,” said Shah. The beach pile-up had resulted not only from littering, but also because of waste washing ashore. “There is a huge creek running from Malad to Versova, which finally joins the sea. Nine big nullahs, full of plastic and filth, empty out in the creek, and eventually in the sea. Untreated waste enters the sea without treatment,” Shah said.
The long-term solution is to ensure that the outflow from the nullahs is treated and neutral water released.
Solheim had tweeted, “Mumbai beach plastic clean-up continues. A truly inspiring example of civil leadership. Who is next?” His visit, hopes a volunteer, will make the state and civic leadership sit up and take note.