As the date for the final immersion of Ganpati idols draws closer, various groups around the city are planning to clean up after remnants of the idols wash ashore on September 15.

On Tuesday, five schools from around the city, in association with the Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness (CMCA), participated in a beach clean-up drive in order to spread awareness about the eco-friendly methods that need to be followed during immersion.

Students from Hiranandani Foundation, Gopal Sharma Memorial School, Beacon High School, Navy Children School, and Utpal Shanghvi School participated in the clean-up drive. Students from each school donned green aprons and white gloves to pick up the litter and the leftover debris from the previous day’s immersion. “Earlier, we never thought much of this, but then after we joined CMCA, we are careful not to throw anything outside and litter our surroundings,” says Reetu, a seventh grade student from Utpal Shangvi. A similar drive is planned for September 15.

As part of the CMCA initiative, civic clubs have been instituted in schools around the city. Students from the sixth, seventh or eighth grade are chosen to be a part of the club. They participate in various eco-friendly drives around the city. Reena Gupta, a volunteer with the CMCA says, “We are around 50 volunteers and we have around 45 civic clubs in schools around the city.”

The CMCA, which is tied with the Sophia College Ex-Students Association, has been carrying out the drive for the past three years. Students from the CMCA civic clubs have in the past participated in campaigns to spread awareness on issues relating to use of plastics and firecrackers. The organization is now planning a campaign to ensure a pollution-free Diwali, a ‘Thank You to Traffic Police’ and Conservancy workers. The initiative has been taken to sensitize people of their civic responsibilities.

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