'Green Earth' to save Gorai mangroves
-
08/05/2008
-
Free Press Journal (Mumbai)
Gorai Creek is a big green shelter, a belt stretching above 5,000 acres of land covered with mangroves adjoining areas in different villages like Gorai, Malad and Dahisar. A tourist place heading towards the Mumbai's favorite picnic spot Essel World and Manori Beach. The mangroves are connected with small estuary, streets and rivers moving in all locations. Green Earth, a foundation for Global Environment to promote Nature Conservation, observed the ecological disturbance taking place due to waste disposals and plastic bags by the tourist and visitors. The tourists moving towards Essel World and Manori beach. Especially the religious offering by the nearby residence of the Gorai Creek was leading to chopping and depletion of the mangroves. Mangroves are sub-tropical aquatic plants growing by the creek in saline water and spreads with seeds germinated after disposal. It is green bed created along the creek protecting inhabitants from high rising water current (Tsunami). The inhabitants near the creek use mangroves as firewood. It also helped checking the continuous climate change in Mumbai as it acted like a forest near the creek to adjust the ecosystem. Interestingly, it is a source of income for poor people living besides the creek. The slum dwellers collect waste, coins, and valuables from religious rituals conducted by people in the Gorai Creek. Even rag pickers try to grab the opportunity to collect the plastic bags that are seen floating near the creek. The non-disposable waste is affecting the flora and fauna of the area; the poisonous chemicals dissolved in the water at the Gorai Creek kills fishes and birds coming from different locations. The poor fishermen of the villages living near the creek in the end of the day dead fishes are trapped in the nets face the major loss. The boats and ferries used for commuting towards the picnic spots face a very tough time to sail across the sea adjoining the creek. The chemical waste was drastically affecting the aquatic life of the Gorai Creek; even the quality of water is being deteriorated. Speaking to FPJ, Dr Virendra Tiwari said," We are working towards a greener tomorrow. We also conduct regular workshop for waste disposal management in Mumbai. Our mission is to develop the Gorai Creek mangroves Nature Park, as it is the need of the hour. Saving the mangroves will save the biosphere of our planet. Citizens need to be educated by keeping in mind their religious sentiments to throw only flowers which is bio-degradable and the other non-disposable items should be properly thrown in the dust-bin for recycling. Tiwari is the founder, Green Earth.