Mumbai : There should not be any particular day to invest in our planet. We should protect our Mother Earth every day  for a better and green India. There are many ways to advocate for ‘World Earth Day’ and community action of plogging is a great way to commemorate the day..  Orchids International School in association with the Mumbai Ploggers has taken an initiative to do plogging in and around Reserve Bank of India Officers Quarters, RBI Colony, Prabhadevi area on 24th April, 2022 with an aim to  protect the environment, promote wellness & spread awareness.

Children of Orchids International School from the age group of 10 to 15 participated in plogging. The event saw participation of more than 50 students along with 20 + Teachers who volunteered for the plogging drive. It began with a briefing session on sustainability and awareness on no plastic use followed by plogging drive for 45 minutes to hour covering a stretch of 3 kms. They were guided by Ms. Rashmi Singh (Plogwoman of Mumbai), Founder of Mumbai Ploggers, the Students have done plogging near the surroundings of the Reserve Bank of India Quarters, in RBI Colony, Prabhadevi, where most important office and business hubs are located, surrounded by posh areas and luxurious residential compexes. During this activity, tons of waste has been accumulated. Children were guided, taught the importance of keeping our surroundings clean.

The activity has set a new trend in volunteering. “Unlike clean-up drives, Plogging is a unique activity that combines fitness and cleanliness in which participants collect litter while jogging.It is a self motivating step which not only promotes Swachh Bharat (Clean India) but also Swasth Bharat (Healthy India)”

Speaking on this initiative, Mangala Koti Singhal, PR Head at Orchids International school said, “We at Orchids believe in spreading awareness about environment cleanliness. It is very important to bring discipline among children at an early age on pertinent issues like plastic waste and environmental pollution and suitable living practices. Children at plogging work also motivate elders and onlookers to participate. This initiative raises awareness of recovery while improving environmental, physical, emotional, and social wellness for all. Inspite of being on vacation, children with support of their parents agreed to volunteer for a meaningful cause. It encourages them to engage with communities for such initiatives and helps them to learn that maintaining cleanliness of your surroundings is the essential part of healthy living” 

On the association for this activity, Ms. Rashmi Singh, Founder of Mumbai Ploggers said, “Pollution is one of the biggest global killers, affecting over 100 million people. Activities like this brings a sense of awareness as well as becomes an eye-opener to others who witness the activity along the plogging stretch. People will also spot the kind of trash that gets thrown and become more conscious. In Mumbai, the mulund dumping ground, which is nearest to where we did this activity receives 32% of Mumbai’s garbage. Large amount of single-use-waste comprising of plastic bottles, plastic paper and Ghutka packets makes up for a major percentage of trash here.’ It is so alarming to see this much of plastic waste in spite of a ban imposed on plastic. The activity helped us spread awareness about the importance of protecting our ecosystem and save our planet from manmade destructions.

According to the National Ocean Service, as much as 80 percent of ocean pollution comes from the land. Picking up trash along the shores will not only help reduce ocean pollution, but it’s also a great workout.

Citizens need to be more responsible and cautious to make our city of dreams stay green and sustainable to live.