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Beach Clean up


DAIS Round Square Beach Cleaning Report


"I thought beaches are beautiful, it made me sad to see the state of the beach filled with garbage."

 

Similar words were expressed by many students of Dhirubhai Ambani International School, as they picked up the marine debris and waste from beaches in Mumbai. Each one hopeful to leave the beach cleaner then when they got there.

 

DAIS always gives students an opportunity to explore, while imbibing important values within themselves. The Beach Clean-Up was one such avenue for many students, starting from grade 7 to 12.

 

On 21st September the world celebrates International Coastline Clean-up Day. Motivated and enthusiastic to clear the beach from all the marine waste and debris, students of grade 9BC decided to celebrate this day at Versova Beach. Here, they fulfilled their responsibility towards Mother Earth and as global citizens. They helped clean a portion of Versova beach, ridding it from all the plastic that had washed up on the shore. As they reflected on this eye-opening experience, many highlighted how this small step on their part added to a much larger goal; a continuous effort to avert the crisis in the oceans.

 

 

This was just the start for many other expiditions to help save the planet. So, on an early Saturday morning, 44 grade 7 students along with 10 adults visited Dana Pani Beach for a clean-up drive. The group was joined by passionate volunteers from environmental activist Mr. Afroz Shahs group. Together, with a smile on their face, they pushed through the heat and cleared 2 truckloads of marine debris. The clean-up transformed into a mindful and humbling experience as the students reflected on their lifestyle and how it had impacted their ecosystem.

 

"Picking up the garbage made me realize how we humans are responsible for this mess"

 

 

They say there is strength in numbers. That is exactly what 59 young environmentalist froms grade 8 proved. They eagerly took part in the second round of the beach clean-up along with Mr. Afroz Shah. Their hardwork led a truck load of discarded milk packets and other marine debris getting cleared of the beach. The drive became even more meaniful and had a greater impact when the enthusiasm increased; as 23 DAIS students, 29 Spanish exchange students accompanied by 3 teachers reached Dana Pani Beach. Here the led a successful and rewarding clean-up.

"As the sun set over the water, all I could think of was how much prettier it would look once the beach was plastic free"

 

 

100 DAIS students along with students from SEK (Spanish Exchange) spent their evening on Versova Beach. They picked up plastic after plastic, buckets full of debris while ensuring that all of it was properly disposed. Inspired by the surroundings, everyone’s spirits were high as they sung to the tune of the school song " Aasma ko ek din chuke aayenge...." while working hard and motivating themselves. To make the drive even more memorable Mr. Afroz Shah addressed them with inspiring words and urged them to work towards making Mumbai a greener city through the principle of circular economy.

 

Motivated by Mr. Afroz Shah's words, DAIS students set on another experience towards cleaning up Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali, as part of their CAS initiative. They interacted with the locals and were made aware of how the locals co-exist with nature and are willing to support the cause of 'Careful Disposal of Plastic'. Passionate and encouraged, the group of students hope to be a regular part of this change towards a better environment!

 

 

 

The experiences at these clean-up have had a meaningful impact on the students and have helped open their eyes to a whole new perspective. It has helped hone their personalities and instill values that will help them their future. But most of all, students were given the opportunity to save their local environment.