The Wilson College Nature Club has been associated with our Mangrove Project for the past few years and is involved in plantation activities at site. This year, too, around 30 members of the Nature Club and some former members planted over 300 saplings of 30 species of medicinal plants. These species have been planted with the view to make a medicinal plants garden around the Mangrove Park area. Efforts are under way to design a park that would cater to different types of flora such as medicinal plants, palms, cacti, orchids, etc. With the help of such voluntary efforts complemented by the Garden Department staff, we are confident of creating an outstanding educational park.

The highlight of this programme was the wide range of enthusiasts. There were children from ages six to seven, to students of Arts and Science, to executives from different companies. Nachiket Mor, Executive Director, ICICI Bank, was present, along with his wife and son. The group undertook the tedious task of digging in the rocky area with good humour. The rain god was also happy and continuously blessed the group with light showers. Everybody enjoyed the session, which was followed by a sumptuous lunch from our Canteen.

Mumbai city produces approximately 7,000 metric tonnes of solid waste per day, the improper disposal of which is posing a great threat to the city’s environment and green cover. Sixty per cent of this solid waste is biodegradable, which can be converted to manure by practising vermiculture.

A training session on vermiculture and the basics of gardening was conducted for rag-picker women. The Stree Mukti Sanghatanaa, a non-governmental organisation, has floated the Parisar Vikas Yojanaa under which destitute rag-picker women are trained in vermiculture. These women are then employed by housing colonies and societies to dispose of their solid wastes and for maintaining gardens. Around 25 women participated in a three-hour training programme conducted by Arti and Amar. Issues such as sources of solid wastes, classification of wastes, current practices of disposal and their disadvantages, methodology of vermiculture, its advantages and disadvantages, safety precautions, etc., were discussed and demonstrated at the Hill Side nursery in Pirojshanagar.

Arti also explained the basics of gardening such as types of ornamental plants, methods of planting and maintenance required. Some simple techniques of propagation were demonstrated to the participants.

The feedback from participants was encouraging.

The Pragati Kendra of Pirojshanagar has formed a Senior Citizens Club to encourage their participation in the management of the township. A visit by members of the Club to the Mangrove Project was organised in order to make them aware of the initiatives undertaken by the Godrej Management for environment conservation, and to involve senior citizens in such efforts. The participants reached the watchtower at 7.30 a.m. and enjoyed a short morning walk. On the way, they were briefed about the biodiversity of the area, the ecological importance of the mangrove ecosystem, etc. Many of the participants shared their experiences and observations.

Later, participants visited the Mangrove Interpretation Centre where they learnt about evolution, adaptation of plants and animals for survival in Nature and the role that citizens can play in Nature conservation. They were also briefed about various initiatives such as vermiculture, secure landfill, industrial and domestic sewage treatment, rescue of wild animals and the role of different sections in reusing and recycling of wastes. Members of the Club expressed their willingness to participate in environment conservation initiatives planned by the Management to make Pirojshanagar cleaner and greener.

Beckon’s High School, Andheri, visited the Godrej Mangrove Project to mark Eco-Week. Around 52 students from Standard IX were taken for a Nature trail in the project area where they were introduced to the local flora and fauna. Concepts such as wetland, ecosystem, habitat, wildlife management, etc., were explained to the group. The participants got a bird’s-eye view of the area from the watchtower. Later, the students visited the Mangrove Interpretation Centre.