The 240th week of the mangrove clean-up drive led by the Environment Life Foundation (ELF) marked a significant milestone as the NGO partnered with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for the first time on March 23.

The collaboration highlighted the commitment to environmental conservation, particularly in restoring Navi Mumbai’s coastal ecosystems.

The clean-up drive was dedicated to WWF-India and Earth Hour, the world’s largest environmental movement. The partnership was officially recognised with ELF receiving the Earth Hour T-shirt from WWF, symbolizing their united efforts in sustainability.

“It was proud to join hands with WWF-India in support of Earth Hour. This year’s theme, #BeWaterWise, is a crucial initiative focused on water conservation and sustainability. We look forward to continuing this collaboration in the years to come,” said Dharmesh Barai, founder of ELF.

The initiative, also supported by the Inner Wheel Club Bombay North (IWCBN), Mangrove Foundation, and the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, witnessed the participation of over 100 dedicated volunteers. Together, they removed approximately 1.5 tons of marine debris from the mangroves and coastline, significantly aiding in the restoration of aquatic habitats.

“Today’s cleanup was an eye-opening experience. Despite having a natural forest in our backyard, we are failing to protect its beauty and biodiversity. Only through collective action can we safeguard these vital ecosystems from pollution,” said Rahul, a volunteer.

Over the past 239 weeks, ELF’s cleanup drives have mobilised over 90,000 citizens and removed more than 750 tons of waste, helping to restore aquatic habitats. These efforts have also saved hundreds of mangrove species.