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MLA Prashant Thakur visits “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar, calls for ownership by all stakeholders

by Staff Reporter January 19, 2021

written by Staff Reporter

During his visit to the “Billboard That Breathes” installation by Waatavaran, at Kharghar, MLA Prashant Thakur called for ownership of responsibilities by all stakeholders in the region to tackle growing pollution in the Kharghar-Taloja-Panvel belt

Kharghar/Navi Mumbai/PCMC: MLA Prashant Thakur recently visited the unique giant lungs installation – “Billboard That Breathes” by Waatavaran, at sector 7 in Kharghar, on Monday, 18 January, 2021, and was all praises for the creative effort of the environmental organisation at engaging with the local residents, and making them aware of the pollution crisis in the region.

“The “CleanAirForAll” campaign signifies the need for pollution free air for the people of the city and the need of the hour. It emphasises on the basic need and right of the people to breathe clean air and stay healthy. I would like to appreciate the genuine efforts of Waatavaran and all involved, for taking a stand against the ongoing pollution in the Kharghar-Taloja-Panvel belt. They have been taking constructive steps by engaging with the local community and adopting practical methods to measure the impact of air pollution on the daily lives of the people in the area,” Thakur said

Also Read: PCMC Mayor Dr Kavita Choutmol inaugurates “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

The #CleanAirForAll campaign signifies the need for pollution free air for the people of the city and the need of the hour. It emphasises on the basic need and right of the people to breathe clean air and stay healthy
MLA Prashant Thakur

Watch MLA Prashant Thakur speak on the role of all stakeholders in tackling the pollution in the Kharghar-Taloja-Panvel belt

Talking on the concept of the billboard installation at Kharghar, Thakur said that it was a unique concept and tool and would help local residents keep a tab on the level of pollution in the area.

“The Billboard That Breathes is a unique instsllation and has a dual purpose. One being the replication of the breathing process of the human lungs and the impact of polluted air on them, and two, the inbuilt real time Air Quality Index indicator (AQI) that aids in monitoring the quantity of particulate matter in the air,” he said.

Also Read: Kharghar’s “Billboard That Breathes” turning grey and black, two weeks before expected

However, he was also concerned by the current readings of the AQI at Kharghar.

“The AQI indicator showed a reading around 200 during the morning as compared to the good AQI mark of 50. That is more than four times than what is considered as normal readings and hence we all need to take this matter seriously,” Thakur expressed his concern.

He further spoke on the responsibility of the residents towards the cause.

“Any pollution is bad pollution, no matter how small the amount. There has to be a willing acceptance of our roles as residents, in the well-being of the community. We need to minimise our contribution to air pollution, be it through vehicular emissions or any other polluting activities that we carry out on a regular basis,” Thakur said.

Also Read: Walk and Cycle for short distances: PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol urges local residents

Any pollution is bad pollution, no matter how small the amount. There has to be a willing acceptance of our roles as residents, in the well-being of the community
MLA Prashant Thakur

Thakur commented on the role of industries in the region, Taloja MIDC for one, and their obligation towards the society.

“Similarly, the industries located in and around the region, especially at Taloja MIDC, should own up to their responsibilities and work towards the betterment of the air quality in the area. They need to cut down on the emissions at the base itself, as a general obligation towards the society. It is about time they acted in the general interest of the people or face the consequences, which will definitely follow,” he said.

MLA Prashant Thakur visits “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar, calls for ownership by all stakeholders — (L to R) Sameer Kadam, Nilesh Baviskar, Bhagwan Keshbhat – Founder of Waatavaran, MLA Prashant Thakur, Corporators Haresh Keni and Abhimanyu Patil, Pravin Patil and others at the “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar.

The role of the administration and the government was also one of the topics that Thakur spoke on.

“The Panvel Municipal Corporation and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) need to take responsibility and command over the pollution situation and work together with all stakeholders to ensure that the residents of Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel get to live in a clean and green environment, devoid of pollution and diseases caused by polluted air,” Thakur concluded.

January 19, 2021 0 comments

Kharghar “Billboard That Breathes” turns black, two weeks before expected

Featured Kharghar News

Kharghar’s “Billboard That Breathes” turning grey and black, two weeks before expected

by Staff Reporter January 19, 2021

written by Staff Reporter

The lungs billboard installation at Kharghar had already started turning grey and black, a day from installation

Kharghar / Panvel / Navi Mumbai: The giant replica of human lungs called “Billboard That Breathes”, installed at sector 7, Kharghar, by environmental organisation Waatavaran, which was inaugurated by PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol, began changing colour just a day after being installed. The billboard is to be monitored for two weeks to study the impact of particulate matter in the air of Kharghar but looking at the speed at which the colour is getting changed, the situation can be understood well enough.

Also Read: PCMC Mayor Dr Kavita Choutmol inaugurates “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

Bhagwan Keshbhat, founder of Waatavaran, expresses his concern, “We had set up a similar installation in Bandra in the month of January, 2020, and it had taken about 14 days to change colour and turn completely black. However, the billboard installation at Kharghar has started changing colour just a day from installation. That explains the amount of pollution local residents are being subjected to on a day to day basis. This is a cause of concern.”

Also read: Kharghar sectors 34, 35, 36 and 37 most polluted after Taloja area

The lungs billboard installation at Kharghar has starting changing colour in a day and that is a major cause for concern
Bhagwan Keshbhat – Founder Waatavaran

Readers must be aware a recent monitoring exercise conducted by Waatavaran had revealed shocking numbers of particulate matter in the air in the Kharghar-Taloja-Panvel belt, clearly indicating a high level of pollution, especially during early morning hours, owing to the Taloja MIDC.

“The “Billboard That Breathes” will act as a visual presentation of the real time problem posed by the ever increasing air pollution in Kharghar, majorly emerging out of the industrial area at Taloja MIDC, and also from vehicular emissions.” Keshbhat adds.

Also Read: Walk and Cycle for short distances: PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol urges local residents

“The fast changing colour of the Billboard That Breathes installation at Kharghar is indicative of the high pollution in Kharghar and although the major contribution is from the industries located at Taloja MIDC, we, as residents should do our part and try cutting down on vehicular pollution as far as possible, by cycling and walking short distances, as PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol suggested,” Keshbhat concludes.

January 19, 2021 0 comments

Featured Kharghar News

Walk and Cycle for short distances: PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol urges local residents

by Staff Reporter January 17, 2021

written by Staff Reporter

A large replica of human lungs titled “Billboard That Breathes” installed by Waatavaran at Kharghar, was recently inaugurated by the PCMC Mayor, to highlight concerns over rising pollution in Kharghar-Taloja-Panvel areas

*PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol at the inauguration of “Billboard That Breathes” installation by Waatavaran, at kharghar.*

Kharghar/Navi Mumbai/PCMC: PCMC Mayor Dr Kavita Choutmal, who recently inaugurated a unique installation at Kharghar – “Billboard That Breathes”, was full of appreciation for the efforts of Waatavaran, the organisation behind the creative installation, and their continuous efforts to highlight environmental issues, especially the pollution crisis in the region.

During her address to the press and local residents gathered for the inauguration of the billboard Choutmol expressed her fervent desire to form an expert committee to study the deteriorating quality of air in Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel areas, creating a Clean Air Action Plan and framing stringent policies to penalise offending entities, namenly industrial units at the Taloja MIDC, that are found to be ignoring environmental norms.

Also read: PCMC Mayor Dr Kavita Choutmol inaugurates “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

She also stressed on the need for active contribution of local residents towards minimising pollution in every way possible, at a local level.

“The local community of Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel can help minimise the pollution by cutting down on the vehicular emissions at a local level. We cannot put a tab on the pollution caused by vehicles moving along the highways but at a local level, we can minimise their use to a huge extent.”

“By cycling and walking more often for shorter distances, residents will help cut down vehicular emissions and also contribute to their own health”
PCMC Mayor – Dr. Kavita Choutmol

“For instance, residents of Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel can adopt environment friendly travel modes. They can use a cycle or even walk their way when moving around in the local vicinity. In doing so, they will be benefitted in two ways – one, they won’t be polluting the locality with vehicular emissions of their cars or motorcycles, and two, they will be adding a health routine to their daily lives, by both cycling and walking every day.” She said.

Choutmal will be pursuing the matte with all concerned authorities soon and coming up with a feasible action plan to tackle the pollution crisis in Kharghar Taloja and Panvel.

Local residents of Kharghar have been appreciative of the Mayor’s stand and are hopeful of seeing her words being put into action soon.

Advocate Shelly Panday, Kharghar, said, “We need passionate people like the PCMC Mayor to come up with feasible action plans to tackle such situations, and also engage with the local community to do their bit towards general issues, like the pollution crisis. We look forward to noticeable changes in the coming months.”

“We need passionate people like the PCMC Mayor to come up with feasible action plans to tackle such situations.”
Advocate Shelly Pandya

January 17, 2021 5 comments

PCMC Mayor inaugurates unique “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar

Featured Kharghar News

PCMC Mayor Dr Kavita Choutmol inaugurates “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai

by Staff Reporter January 16, 2021

written by Staff Reporter

The unique installation by Waatavaran mimics human lungs and demonstrates the impact of real time pollution on them

Kharghar/Navi Mumbai/PCMC: City based environmental organisation, Waatavaran (Climate, Environment and Sustainability Foundation (WCES), recently set up an installation at the Bank of India signal junction at sector 7 in Kharghar. The installation, called “Billboard That Breathes”, which was installed on 15 January, 2021, was inaugurated at the hands of Panvel City Municipal Corporation’s (PCMC) Mayor, Dr Kavita Choutmol, on Saturday, 16 January, 2021, a day after installation.

The huge billboard has inbuilt, large-sized “breathing lungs”, that mimic the breathing process of human lungs and clearly demonstrate the impact of breathing in polluted air on a day to day basis. The billboard also has a digital air quality monitor that displays the real-time Air Quality Index (AQI).

Bhagwan Kesbhat, founder of Waatavaran, shared, “The pollution crisis in Kharghar-Taloja area is not hidden from anyone, at least not from the residents who breathe toxic air on a regular basis. We had carried out a month long independent study to monitor the quality of air in the Kharghar-Taloja-Panvel belt that had revealed some shocking numbers pertaining to the amount of particulate matter in the air in these areas.”

“This ‘Billboard That Breathes’ installation is for a visual and real time impact on local residents as they will be made aware of the pollution crisis in the area every time they see the large sized lungs, and at the same time, be reminded to strive for the wellbeing and health of the local community on a whole,” he added.

Also read: Kharghar sectors 34, 35, 36 and 37 most polluted after Taloja area

PCMC Mayor, Dr Kavita Choutmol, who inaugurated the installation, was quite vocal about her concerns over the rising pollution in Kharghar and surrounding areas.

“It is disappointing to learn about the growing pollution and it’s impact on the health of local residents in Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel areas. We need to set up an expert committee and work together to tackle the situation.”

Choutmol also talked about her firm stand on working out a feasible action plan and making stringent policies to penalise polluting units in the industrial belt of Taloja.

“I will be writing to the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) to meet at the earliest and prepare a Clean Air Action Plan for the area. I also want to stress upon the need to set up a steering committee with members that include local authorities, elected representatives as well as experts as members. It is imperative that we focus on identifying the source of pollution and take strict action against all offending entities, especially the industries in the Taloja MIDC area, which have been violating the environment norms from time to time,” she said.

“Local residents need to turn to cycling or walking when moving around in the local vicinity and avoid using private vehicles such as cars and motor bikes to reduce the level of vehicular emissions in their individual localities,”
Dr Kavita Choutmol – PCMC MAYOR

She also expressed her wish to see residents of Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel adopting environment friendly travel modes to cut the pollution down.

“Local residents need to turn to cycling or walking when moving around in the local vicinity and avoid using private vehicles such as cars and motor bikes to reduce the level of vehicular emissions in their individual localities. It would really help a lot in bringing down the pollution originating from vehicualar movement in local vicinities,” she added.

Also read: Walk and Cycle for short distances: PCMC Mayor Dr. Kavita Choutmol urges local residents

How does the “Billboard That Breathes” work?

The installation, a brainchild of Jhatka.org, consists of two large-sized lungs depicting human lungs, retrofitted with HEPA filters and a fan that sucks in air to mimic the human breathing process. A digital air quality monitor on the billboard displays real-time Air Quality Index (AQI).

The lungs are white by default and change colour as the onslaught of daily pollution continues for a stipulated period of time.

The first such installation was made in Bangalore in the month of January, 2018, and later at two locations in Delhi in the month of November, 2018.

Next, Waatavaran intends to engage local residents through social media to monitor the air quality regularly through the billboard and also draw in participation of elected representatives and political leaders to work together for the benefit of the local community.

Apart from that, they have been stressing on getting Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations set up in Kharghar, Taloja and Panvel area to enable the authorities to keep a tab on real time data of air pollution in the area. It would also help create a feasible and effective ‘Clean Air Action Plan’ for the region.

“Just a day old, the “Billboard That Breathes” installation at Kharghar has already started changing it’s colour, indicating the high level of air pollution in the area.”
Bhagwan Kesbhat, founder – Waatavaran

January 16, 2021 0 comments

Featured Food News

How to handle and cook chicken and other poultry safely amid bird flu

by Staff Reporter January 16, 2021

written by Staff Reporter

Tips on how to buy, handle, cook and eat chicken, eggs and other poultry safely to rule out the danger of getting infected by the bird flu virus

The Bird Flu or Avian Influenza, is scaring people away from poultry products, especially chicken, with mixed feelings amid meat eaters around the world questioning one another if it is safe to eat chicken or eggs during the bird flu crisis.

However, the chances of getting infected with bird flu by consuming infected chicken or other poultry meat can be minimized with just a simple precaution, something that most of us already do in our kitchens – cook properly!

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and other global health organisations, you can eat chicken and other poultry products amid bird flu as long as they are handled and cooked thoroughly.

How thorough cooking can kill the bird flu virus in infected chicken or other poultry?

The bird flu virus is very sensitive to heat and cannot survive in food cooked thoroughly at even normal temperatures for longer periods in most household kitchens. Having said that, most people cook chicken for longer periods and hence cut down the risk of getting infected by consumption.

Cook chicken thoroughly and if possible at high temperature

Wash and cook chicken very thoroughly, and at a high temperature, if possible. The objective is to let the heat reaches to 70°C in all parts of the chicken or poultry being cooked. Cook chicken for at least 30 minutes or more.

Also read: Can you eat chicken and eggs during bird flu?

Don’t eat under-cooked chicken or eggs during the bird flu

As a rule of thumb, eat chicken cooked at home and avoid eating at restaurants and street side meat stalls as there is a high possibility of the meat being under-cooked or thoroughly cooked.

Don’t eat raw chicken or other poultry meat, half-boiled and half-fried eggs at all.

Tips for buying, handling and cooking raw chicken, eggs and other poultry during bird flu

Buy chicken or other meat from neat and tidy chicken shops
Look for signs of dullness or sickness before buying the chicken
If you notice dead poultry at the chicken shop, move to another shop
If possible, wear gloves and masks when at a chicken shop
Avoid touching raw chicken (or other meat) with bare hands
Keep safe distance from the cages at chicken shops
Avoid getting in contact with chicken droppings
Don’t touch blood stains left on plastic bags carrying raw chicken
Once home, immediately wash the raw chicken and your hands thoroughly
Cook chicken and other poultry meat thoroughly on the stove and not a microwave
Cook the chicken or other meat for at least 30 minutes at 70 Degree Celsius

In a nutshell, avoid visiting chicken shops frequently, buy chicken only from neat and tidy chicken shops, look out for signs of dullness and sickness in the poultry birds, don’t handle raw chicken or other poultry meat with bare hands before it is washed properly at home, dispose all waste properly in a bin, and cook chicken, eggs and other poultry meat thoroughly at 70 Degree Celsius and for more than 30 minutes, or longer.

Remember one thing – eating thoroughly cooked chicken, eggs and other poultry can cut down the risk of getting infected by bird flu but it can still infect you if you handle raw meat improperly.

January 16, 2021 3 comments

Featured Food News

Can you eat chicken and eggs during bird flu?

by Staff Reporter January 15, 2021

written by Staff Reporter

While it is better to avoid eating poultry products, like chicken and eggs, amid the Bird Flu, it is not totally unsafe to consume with some precautions in place.

The covid-19 pandemic has not yet subsided and the bird flu, or Avian Influenza, seems to have started spreading it’s wings around, with cases being confirmed every other day. People, especially meat eaters are riddled with the question – Can chicken and eggs be consumed amid the bird flu?

In India, around 10 states have confirmed cases of Avian Influenza or Bird Flu and in while some of them have put poultry farms, live bird markets, meat markets, and zoos under strict surveillance.

Amid all that’s transpiring around, people are overwhelmed with this new possible pandemic and the rumour mill has already been set in motion. The poultry industry has already started to feel the pinch with panic setting in among those who consume chicken and eggs on a daily basis.

The panic stems from the fact that Bird Flu, though primarily an affliction of the birds, can also spread to humans when in contact with infected birds.

Here are some clarifications on Bird Flu or Avaian Influenza (as per WHO and other health experts around the globe)

What is Bird Flu?

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), bird flu is an avian influenza virus, with many different types but the most common ones as being the H5N1 and H7N9 bird flu viruses, mostly found in wild birds. Surprisingly, even though wild birds don’t get sick even when infected with the virus they can pass on the infection to other birds, especially poultry.

What all birds (poultry) can get infected with Bird Flu?

Poultry, like chickens, ducks, and turkeys can get infected with bird flu and spread the virus to other such birds quickly. Birds infected with the flu can get very sick and hence are better not to be consumed.

Does Bird Flu spread from birds to humans?

Although it is not very common for humans to get infected with bird flu, many people in Asian countries still get seriously infected when coming in contact with poultry (birds raised on farms) infected with the flu, especially on consumption of raw meat or under-cooked meat.

What causes the Bird Flu?

Bird flu is caused by any of the most common avian influenza viruses and spreads from infected wild birds to poultry (farm-raised birds).

How fast does the Bird Flu spread?

Once an infected wild bird passes on the infection to a poultry bird or birds, the infection spreads very quickly infecting hundreds of thousands of birds that are stocked together at poultry farms.

How are birds infected with Bird Flu cured?

There is no other option than culling (killing) birds infected with bird flu to stop the infection from spreading further.

Through what medium does the Bird Flu spread?

Bird flu can spread through bird droppings and saliva left on the surfaces of cages, feeding trays, farm equipment and transportation vehicles like tractors etc.

Should people be worried about the Bird Flu?

In some cases in the past, bird flu has been recorded to have passed from one person to another person, although very rarely. People can get very sick with the bird flu virus and the mortality has been more than 50% of all the people who had been infected in the past.

The cause of concern is that the bird flu differs from other flu viruses and hence human bodies have zero immunity against it, making it difficult to fight it off. Even very healthy people can get terribly sick with bird flu.

What are the symptoms of Bird flu?

The symptoms of bird flu begin are like those of common flu, like:

Fever.
Cough.
Sore throat.
Muscle aches.
Vomiting, Diarrhea and Eye infection (conjunctivitis) in some cases.

Bird Flu symptoms can get worse in humans if left untreated

Once infected, humans need to undergo treatment for bird flu or else it can progress to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is a serious lung problem.

People who die from bird flu dies within 10 days from the onset of the symptoms.

What is the diagnosis of Bird Flu?

Bird flu can be diagnosis by physical examination by a doctor, which includes blood tests, nasal swabs, x-rays or other tests as required.

Who is in danger of getting infected with Bird Flu?

Following people have higher changes of getting infected with bird flu:

People who have travelled to areas where bird flu is rampant, visited poultry farms, or have come in contact with live, sick or dead poultry or wild birds.
Those people who consume raw or under-cooked poultry meat or eggs, especially in Asian countries.
People who get in close contact with those infected with bird flu or other respiratory diseases.
Poultry farm workers tending to chickens, ducks or turkey on a day to day basis.
Laboratory workers who are in close contact with birds infected or dead with bird flu.

How is Bird Flu treated?

In some cases of bird flu, antiviral medicines can help reduce symptoms although many such medicines are not fully effective against bird flu.

Patients with bird flu infection are kept in isolation to stop the virus from spreading and some may even be kept on ventilators to ease breathing.

In some cases, patients are even kept on dialysis to help take off the load from their kidneys.

How can bird flu be prevented from spreading?

As per health organisatios all poultry needs to be checked for bird flu infection and in cases where they are found to be infected, all such birds should be culled, or killed.

To be precise, the most feasible strategy worldwide to prevent the spread of bird flu is the culling of such birds and not letting them reach the markets and households.

How to safely eat chicken and other poultry products amid Bird Flu?

To be precise, thoroughly cooked meat, at or over 70 degree celcius, kills any form of virus. In Indian homes and other countries where food is cooked at high temperatures and not consumed in raw or under-cooked form, the chances of getting infected by eating an infected bird are next to none.

So cook your chicken or eggs thoroughly to nullify the chances of getting infected by Bird Flu.

However one thing has to be noted that although eating properly cooked poultry will kill the virus, it can still infect while handling buying and handling raw meat at the meat market.

Precautions to be taken against Bird Flu?

Bird flu can be prevented by taking the following precautions:

Avoid travelling to countries or areas with bird flu infections and active case. If travelling, take a flu shot to avoid getting any other fl.
Avoid visiting poultry farms, processing units, or poultry – chicken, ducks and turkeys
Stay away from open-air live bird markets.
Don’t eat poultry based dishes at restaurants or roadside stalls, especially in Asian countries as they can be raw or under-cooked
Cook meat thoroughly as the virus cannot survive at temperatures of, or above, 70-degree celsius.
Don’t come in close contact with people infected with the bird flu or any other type of flu.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water or with alcohol based hand gels.

During the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, precaution is the best measure against the spread of both covid-19 and bird flu.

January 15, 2021 8 comments

Kharghar sectors 34, 35, 36, 37 most polluted

Featured Kharghar News

Kharghar sectors 34, 35, 36 and 37 most polluted after Taloja area

by Staff Reporter January 4, 2021

written by Staff Reporter

The main sectors in Kharghar with mass housing projects like Swapnapurti and CIDCO Valley Shilp, along with some prestigious high rise towers, are also the most polluted ones

Kharghar/Taloja / Navi Mumbai/Panvel: For many home seekers, sectors 34, 35, 36 and 37 in Kharghar are the prime sectors owing to the fact that they house two mass housing projects – Swapnapurti and Valley Shilp along with some of the most exclusive residential projects in the city, like Sai World Empire, Adhiraj Samyama (Capital City), Arihant Alishan etc. located in the area. However, what many property buyers don’t know about is that these are Kharghar’s most polluted sectors.

For those who have heard this for the first time – Residents of Kharghar and Taloja have been battling high pollution, originating from the Taloja MIDC industrial area since many years. The pollution crisis in Kharghar is real and is plaguing the lives of local residents in many ways.

Local residents have been pleading with the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) since long but no permanent solution has been found yet.

Read the article: Kharghar and Taloja battle with pollution again, thanks to Taloja industries

Shubham Vishwakarma, a resident of Swapnapurti, Kharghar, shares, “We moved from sector 35 to Swapnapurti and are now stuck with the wrong decision. There is high level of pollution during the nights and early mornings almost every other day. We could feel the pollution in sector 35 too but here in sectors 36 and 37, the pollution gets worse and at times we have to keep our windows shut. It was much lower during the lockdown but now it is high.”

Read the article: Taloja pollution is back: Pungent smell fills up the air again

Ironically, these sectors in Kharghar have been marketed a lot for some prestigious ongoing projects that demand premium rates at the promise of world class amenities.

Advocate Shelly Pandya, Kharghar, shares, “Some of the extensively marketed and highly priced residential projects of Kharghar like Sai World Empire, Adhiraj Capital City, Arihant Aalishan etc. lie in sectors 36 and 37, which are highly polluted areas owing to their proximity to the Taloja MIDC area. Their elevation will further make the impact of polluted winds worse in future. Buyers in these properties will get a first-hand experience of the pollution in Kharghar only after they move into their “dream homes” that offer “pollution” as a free amenity.”

Deepak Prajapati, who works with TATA Memorial Centre, Kharghar, shares, “We recently shifted to our own house in Taloja Ghot area and are bearing with the pollution on a day to day basis. The air is highly polluted and the stench is unbearable at times. We live in a premium society but with windows shut tight. There are times when we can feel a burning sensation in our eyes and nose. It is the same with people in Taloja and those in sectors 34, 35, 36 and 37 of Kharghar.”

There has been an ongoing struggle of Kharghar and Taloja residents against the Taloja MIDC pollution and for reasons best known to the authorities, the problem persists.

Jaspal Singh Naol, a Journalist and Social Activist, residing in Kharghar since more than two decades, shares, “It is a gimmick that people on desks like to play on local residents. The fact is that if somebody wants a problem fixed then they get it fixed. Any excuse given for not being able to fix it is just a farce. The authorities seem to underestimate or simply ignore the pollution in Kharghar and Taloja.”

“Kharghar and Taloja have a serious pollution crisis which is slowly making local residents sick. We will be shortly coming up with a detailed report on the effects of pollution in Kharghar and Taloja on the health of local residents,” he adds.

While pollution is at it’s highest in Taloja’s residential areas in both Taloja Phase-1 and Taloja Phase-2 and the surrounding under development village like Ghot village, sectors like 34, 35, 36 and 37 in Kharghar have to bear with the problem owing to their close proximity to Taloja.

During most of the days, the mornings in these sectors in Kharghar are shrouded by a thick smog and pungent stench in the air owing to the hazardous emissions from polluting units in Taloja MIDC area.

Watch – Pollution in Kharghar sector 35 and surrounding sectors during the mornings

The nights in Kharghar sectors 34, 35, 36 and 37 are even more problematic as you can literally feel the stench inside your system if you sleep with open windows. The air gets hazy and a strong irritating stench persists for long hours through the night.

Kharghar residents assert that the administration acknowledges the pollution in Kharghar and Taloja but have not been taking practical and effective steps to tackle it.

Jaspal Singh asserts, “Sending notices to a handful of units in the Taloja MIDC and then believing that they will comply for years to come, will not solve the pollution issues in Kharghar and Taloja. There has to be a real time monitoring and continuous inspection of the units in the industrial area of Taloja and stringent action should be taken immediately. The MPCB and PMC should think beyond burying the issues in paperwork for once.”

Read the article: Taloja Pollution: MPCB orders 4 polluting Taloja companies to shut down, issues notices to 4 others

Read the article: Kharghar and Taloja Pollution: Residents get temporary relief from pollution after MPCB intervention

Recently, a month long independent monitoring conducted by a local environmental organisation “Waatavaran Foundation” revealed shocking numbers of particulate matter or PM2.5 in the air in Kharghar (sector 36 and surrounding areas and sector 7), Taloja MIDC, Navade-Taloja and Panvel.

The organisation will be sharing their report, which has already been published in several newspapers, with the Panvel municipal commissioner, local elected representatives and the MPCB.

While the numbers have shocked readers they forget or are unaware of the fact that the Taloja MIDC pollution issue was at it’s peak some years ago when birds flying over the industrial units were falling down dead, dogs bathing in the Taloja creek were turning blue and local villagers were living in a perpetual state of drowsiness. If the pollution crisis in Taloja continues then it won’t be surprising if it starts happening again.

In the month of June, last year, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) had announced that they would setting up two Continuous Ambient Air Quality (CAAQ) monitoring stations in the Taloja MIDC chemical hub. However, the installations have not been made till date.

Read the article: Taloja chemical hub to get two CAAQ stations to monitor air quality

So, before buying properties in Kharghar sectors 34, 35, 36 and 37 and Taloja, consider the fact that you will be living in a polluted area and compromising with your heath unless of course, the administration decides to take practical steps at solving it.

Our (LocalPress.in) Opinion
Like said earlier too, we believe that the administration has to work on a specific plan to cut down the pollution. The fact is that there cannot be a complete ending of the pollution issues in Kharghar and Taloja as that would mean shifting of the entire Taloja MIDC area, which is highly improbable.
So, the besy way is to identify the polluting units, keep a tab on them and work on solutions to cut down the pollution. It may sound very simple but that is the only way to tackle the pollution in Kharghar and Taloja.

January 4, 2021 1 comment

“Save The Paws, One Collar at a Time”: Pawsibilities!

by Staff Reporter December 5, 2020

written by Staff Reporter

Meet the volunteers of CreateTogether Foundation who have been tying reflective radium belts to the necks of street dogs in Navi Mumbai to protect them from accidents and also to given them an identity

Kharghar / Navi Mumbai: There are hundreds of thousands of street dogs in Navi Mumbai and all of them roam around on the roads and streets during the nights, exposing themselves and vehicle drivers, especially those on two wheelers, to many dangers. The reason? Well, they are difficult to be located in the darkness of the night. Well, not anymore!

Thanks to young and creative volunteers of CreateTogether Foundation, who have been campaigning to “Save Precious Paws, One Collar at a Time”, by tying radium belts to the necks of street dogs in Navi Mumbai. The reflective neck belts, they say, are saviours for both street dogs and motorists.

We discuss with Deepak Vishwakarma, founder of CreateTogether Foundation, about the entire campaign under “Pawsibilities”, another extension of the vibrant organisation.

Can you tell us a bit about “Pawsibilities” and the campaign for street dogs in Navi Mumbai?

“Our campaign “Pawsibilities” by the very meaning of the word, explains that we can all work towards the possibility of a better world for dogs, especially street dogs and animals in general. We mean to remind people that caring for street dogs, tending to their wounds, giving them a home and loving them is a possibility if we all find in ourselves, the humanity we so much boast of.”

“Through such, we thought of first carrying out simple tasks and the idea of tying reflective radium belts sprung up in everybody’s minds. We thought it best to add some level of security to the lives of street dogs and so we started the activity of “Save the Paws, One Collar at a Time” in Kharghar , Kalamboli and some other nodes” he adds.

“We mean to remind people through “Pawsibilities”, that caring for street dogs, tending to their wounds, loving them and giving them a home, is a possibility, if we all find in ourselves, the humanity we so much boast of.”
Createtogether foundation

What immediate threats do street dogs pose to themselves and motorists?

“A lot of times, street dogs get hit by oncoming vehicles as they are poorly visible during the nights, especially along the highways, which they cross in search of food. Many street dogs die in such manner every now and then.”

“It is a fact that there are many street dogs in Navi Mumbai and it is just not possible to keep them off the streets. Though most of them are wary of vehicles, some of them find themselves on the path of oncoming vehicles that fail to notice them. As a result accidents happen and sometimes they are dangerous,” he adds

“In most of the cases where a bike or car hits a street dog, the poor animal is rendered hurt, maimed or even killed. But there is always a great threat to the life of the motorist as well,” he concludes.

So, what is “Save Precious Paws, One Collar at a Time” all about?

“To keep it simple, we strive to minimise the threat of accidents of street dogs in Navi Mumbai, by tying one collar to one street dog at a time. Though it doesn’t literally mean that we take one dog at a time, but rather, it emphasises on the fact that we take every single dog as a unique personality and don’t intend to miss any. We believe that every collar tied is a dog saved on roads.”

“This is a very simple project that people can take up individually as the belts are cheap and easy to buy. Many people have already been doing it in many cities across India. We can all replicate such good ideas in our localities,” he adds.

How do the reflective radium belts help save street dogs?

“The radium belts, as the name tells, are coated with radium which glow in the dark. It is enough to warn motorists about street dogs on their paths. At least motorists who are not drunk, don’t run into dogs.”

“You see, it is not just about saving street dogs but also motorists who can run into dangerous accidents after hitting or trying to escape hitting dogs on their way,” he adds.

Is it easy tying belts around street dogs’ necks? How do you do that?

“To be frank, it is a little problematic at times. Anyone who has any kind of experience with street dogs, can tell that they take time to get familiar with you. It takes a different level of trust for them to allow you to tie something to their necks.”

“Sometimes, even friendly street dogs don’t appreciate a belt around their necks. They are not used to it as they are not bred to be like pet dogs who walk around comfortably in belts and dresses and what not. In some cases we have to feed them or pet them first for a long time, before they allow us to tie the belts,” he adds.

Do all your volunteers share the same love and enthusiasm for street dogs?

“In a broader sense, all of our volunteers love animals and strive to help them in every possible way. Some may be a little scared at times because of the lack of experience in dealing with street dogs, but eventually they learn to mingle.”

“Luckily we have among us some passionate dog lovers who go out of the box to help street dogs in every possible manner. We have a volunteer called Jyoti Dubey who works diligently and passionately for the cause of street dogs as she loves them a lot. Then there is another called Pravin Yadav who shares the same enthusiasm like Jyoti,” he adds.

“Two of the volunteers, Bipin Rawat and Abhay Pillai, had even been treating injured dogs on their own expenses, before they had met us. Another passionate girl called Mayanka Choukkar, is up in arms when somebody hurts or intends to hurt a street dog. Like these, we have a lot of other volunteers who contribute in their own unique ways and we are lucky to have them with us,” he concludes.

How many street dogs in Navi Mumbai have you tagged with radium belts so far?

“Well, we had covered the Kalamboli and Kharghar nodes, along with Belapur, Seawoods and Sanpada, and tied belts on the necks of more than 55 street dogs so far. It was out first such activity and we intend to increase the frequency of the drive and reach out to as many street dogs in Navi Mumbai various other nodes in the coming months.”

“We have one such drive coming up this month and we intend to cover more ground,” he adds.

How do you procure the radium belts? Are they sponsored?

“We had bought the radium belts from an organisation in Mulund, at the cost of Rs. 25/belt. Most of the money was collected through crowdfunding through our social media pages. A lot of dog lovers and well-wishers had contributed generously. It is owing to the help of all such people that we were able to carry out the activity.”

“We will continue the campaign in the same manner with the help of willing and generous contributors who can help take the campaign further, in every possible manner,” he adds.

How do you plan to tie radium belts to all street dogs in Navi Mumbai?

“We will be increasing the frequency of our activities and visiting many other areas in several other nodes having a dense population of street dogs. But to be frank, it is not a one man’s job or even that of a single group of people. Every person counts who joins in, counts.”

“So, we will be getting in touch with dog lovers and local residents, and even societies, to tie such bands on community street dogs. We have already done that during our last activity, and many willing dog lovers had participated in their own capacities,” he adds.

“We aim to cover maximum street dogs in the city with the help of local residents of Navi Mumbai,” he concludes.

How frequently do you carry out the activity of tying radium belts?

“We are still new to this and for now, have planned to conduct the activity at least twice a month. During the last activity, that was held on 14 November, on Diwali, we had a good experience on how to go about with the activity in a planned manner. So, our next activity, which is scheduled to take place on 13 December, 2020, we will be going about in a systematic manner.”

To get information on future dates of radium belt activities under “Save the Paws, One Collar at a Time” in your nodes, call 8898477016

What does “Pawsibilities” cover, apart from tying radium belts to street dogs?

“We are connected with some local animal lovers and concerned citizens, who inform us about injured street dogs and we take them to vets to ensure that they receive proper treatment. A lot more can be done for injured and ailing street dogs and hence we are trying our best to connect with more and more local dog lovers, concerned citizens and vets.”

“We also hope that the administration practically starts working on the veterinary hospital in Kalamboli that was promised years ago. That would help a lot,” he adds.

Any message for the citizens of Navi Mumbai?

“The message is short and simple – Whatever you think that you want to do for the sake of animals in the city, no matter how hard it may seem – It is Pawsible!”

Also read: Meet Navi Mumbai’s Sunday Eco Warriors Cleaning City Mountains and Ponds

For our readers:

You can help volunteers of CreateTogether Foundation to reach out to more and more street dogs in Navi Mumbai by sending your monetary donations to:

Bank Name: Union Bank of India
Account Name: CreateTogether Foundation
Account Number: A/C No: 482001010111556
IFSC Code: UBIN0548201
UPI Payment: Google Pay – Paytm – Phonpe: 8898477016

Or you can learn more about the CreateTogether Foundation before lending a helping hand by visiting the following links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreateTogetherFoundation/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createtogetherfoundation

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreateTogetherFoundation

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CreateTogetherF

December 5, 2020 0 comments

Featured Lifestyle News Pets

Navi Mumbai needs dog parks: City pet dog parents urge

by Staff Reporter December 3, 2020

written by Staff Reporter

With the number of pets increasing every month, Navi Mumbai pet dog parents demand dog parks in prime nodes of the city, more than ever, now that one is coming up in Vashi.

Navi Mumbai: Pet parents in the city are very excited to have got their first ever “Pet Corner” and the news that the Vashi Dog Park is just about complete and could be thrown open in the month of January 2022. While the pet corner is well received by all, every pet parent is eagerly waiting for the dog park to open and are hopeful that the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) will not disappoint them .

Well, the concept of a dog park may sound ridiculous to many but the fact is that Navi Mumbai needs a couple of dog parks more than ever before.

Why? Well, the growing population of pet dogs in Navi Mumbai and the lack of personal space for dog walking or play, calls for an immediate provision of parks or separate zones dedicated to dogs.

To be frank, dog parks are the best bets as everybody needs some space, including dogs!

The population of pet dogs in Navi Mumbai is growing

Keeping aside statistics, there has been a constant growth in the population of pet dogs in Navi Mumbai. The rampant growth in pet food shops is proof enough to support such fact.

Surprisingly, the growing population of pet dogs is not limited to high rise buildings and posh localities alone. Almost every dog lover, irrespective of his or her social status, has taken in a pet dog wherever possible. As a result, the number of pet dogs has been scaling up every month.

Additionally, it is not just dogs of quality breed that become pets, but also street dogs, who are being added to the pet population in Navi Mumbai. So you see, there are a lot of pets in city homes at the moment.

Kapil Malhotra, founder of The Bark Treat, a holistic pet shop at Seawoods, shares, “In the last couple of years there has been a tremendous growth in the number of pet parents in Navi Mumbai. You can find a pet shop in every nook and corner of the city and they are all doing good business. I keep getting calls from people who want to buy or adopt pet dogs all the time. There are more pet dogs in Navi Mumbai than we know.”

“Due to lack of space, especially pet friendly space, there are many pet parents who take their pet dogs to isolated spots like I do, to give their pets some freedom and required exercise. Sadly, the lack of dog friendly spaces in Navi Mumbai is also one of the reasons that many pet parents avoiding taking their pets out often. Nobody likes inspecting glaring eyes and shrugging heads,” he adds.

“Sadly, the lack of dog friendly spaces in Navi Mumbai is also one of the reasons that many pet parents avoiding taking their pets out often. Nobody likes inspecting glaring eyes and shrugging heads.”
– Kapil Malhotra, Founder, www.TheBarkTreat.in

Also read: Kharghar pet dog owners making best use of the monsoons at isolated spots

So many pet dogs and so little walking space or play areas (for dogs) in Navi Mumbai

It is a known fact the pet parents in Navi Mumbai struggle to take their pet dogs out for regular walks or play for several reasons, one being lack of dedicated space to walk them around.

The fact is, that not all pet dog parents in Navi Mumbai live in dog-loving societies with ample space to walk their dogs, or convenient open spaces around to take their pet dogs out for a walk.

Taking dogs along for morning walks and jogs on dedicated jogging tracks in Navi Mumbai is a problem in itself as people generally don’t like their space to be shared with dogs for various reasons.

And the idea of taking your pet dog to a park in Navi Mumbai is completely out of question. No pets are allowed in parks in our city.

So you see, the city of Navi Mumbai has so many pet dogs but not enough space for them to walk around or play freely.

Also read: NMMC may build 10 “Pet Corners” or “Legal Dog Pooping Stations”; Inaugurates first one in Vashi

Dog parks are a must for Navi Mumbai’s pet dogs

Well, Navi Mumbai, the City of the Twenty First Century, strives to take strides never taken before by others and do things differently. So, why lag behind at developing dog parks?

The growing population of pet dogs, the extreme lack of space (for dogs), unruly people and dog haters or animal haters in general, are reason enough for the city of Navi Mumbai to develop dedicated dog parks in prime nodes.

Officially, Navi Mumbai doesn’t have dedicated dog parks, whether off-leash or fenced, or even dog friendly parks or spaces. Pet dog parents simply make walk their dogs in nearby streets or spots with lesser number of street dogs and people who object to people walking their dogs around.

It is not a demand of luxury but the need of the hour. The administration should understand that there is dearth of dog-friendly spaces in the city. Every now and then we get to hear about skirmishes between dog lovers and dog haters or acts of violence against street dogs. (We will get back to the pitiful situation of street dogs in another article.).

In such a scenario a dog park is the best option for the well-being of pet dogs and pet parents alike.

Also read: Vashi Dog Park likely to open in January 2022, after completion of pending work

Barsha Mitra, a gifted Animal Communicator and founder of “Jalesmina”, a Telepathic Animal Communication organisation, shares, “A dog park in Navi Mumbai will be a thrilling concept for pet dog parents in the city. Not only will it allow city pet dogs the opportunity to socialize with other pet dogs but also to grow physically and psychologically. Dogs are social and very energetic animals and park that will allow them to walk, exercise or run around freely in the company of other dogs will help boost their morale. Staying home all the time and going out for a 5 minute walk only for relieving themselves does no good to them.”

*Barshsa Mitra, Founder of Jalesmina.com has been effectively communicating with animals since years and stresses on the need of dog parks in Navi Mumbai.*

“Also, many pet dog parents feel guilty about having to leave their pet children home while they go to a park or other such place to walk. Having a dog park in Navi Mumbai will allow a majority of such pet parents to share some special time with their pet dogs outside their homes too. To be frank, a dog park in Navi Mumbai will allow pet parents to share quality moments with their best friends even outside the four walls of their homes ,” she adds.

“To be frank, a dog park in Navi Mumbai will allow pet parents to share quality moments with their best friends even outside the four walls of their homes.”
– Barsha Mitra, Founder, www. Jalesmina.com

How will dog parks help pet dogs in Navi Mumbai in the first place?

*Even sitting calmly in nature’s lap can do wonders for a dog’s mind (Photo: Harpal Naol)*

To keep it precise and simple, pet dogs, or dogs in general, need to walk, run and play freely every day, or at least on alternate days. Dogs need to unwind just like humans do. Even sitting calmly in the grass can do wonnders for their minds.

In Navi Mumbai, there is no limit of open spaces for people but when it comes to dogs, there are restrictions for reasons we all know.

If we get a few dog parks in some of the nodes of Navi Mumbai with major population of pet dogs, then it will prove beneficial in many ways for the dogs at least.

Also read: Vashi Dog Park likely to open in January 2022, after completion of pending work

Firstly, dogs will get a personal space where they won’t have to care about any “human” walking around cursing or glaring at them.

Secondly, they will be able to flex their muscles and indulge in physical activities as well as unhindered sniffing routines to stimulate their minds.

Lastly, all the unhindered activity that dogs will be able to indulge in will help maintain their overall mental and physical health.

We need dog parks and other such only places because there are people who still can’t adjust to being around pet animals, and some pet owners who still haven’t learnt to act responsibly. It is a mixture of such people who are the reason for the growing hatred against pets and animals in general. To add to the troubles, there are those who are simply born or brought up savage, they hardly care about fellow beings, let alone caring for animals!
– Kapil Malhotra, Founder, www.TheBarkTreat.in

Also read: Work on Vashi dog park, Navi Mumbai’s first such park, commences

So what kind of dog parks does Navi Mumbai need?

Well, ideally we need “Off-leash dog parks in Navi Mumbai” where dogs can simply run around without any hindrance. However, there has to be a certain amount of discretion on the pet parents’ part – they need to be very forthcoming about whether or not their dogs need to be on a leash. Letting untrained dogs loose in a park full of dogs can lead to many serious incidents.

Alternatively, there can be dog parks that switch from off-leash to on-leash mode on alternate days to accommodate all types of pet dogs.

Facilities needed at dog parks in Navi Mumbai (whenever they develop them)

Talking about facilities that would be required at dog parks in Navi Mumbai, once developed, there are a couple of things that are most essential.

Following is a list of essential facilities needed at dog parks in Navi Mumbai:

Dog training and exercise equipment
Off-leash and On-leash lawns or sections
One large or more preferably two small splash pools
A spacious amphitheatre for pet events
Water dispensers and bowls
Vending machines or counters for poop bags
Separate sections for big and small dogs
Access to a 24×7 local vet
An expert dog trainer

Best locations for dog parks in Navi Mumbai

The best locations for developing dog parks in Navi Mumbai would be Vashi, Nerul –Seawoods and Kharghar as they seem to have a huge concentration of pet shops, indicating the possibility of a high number of pet dogs or pets in general.

Advocate Shelly Pandya, a resident of Kharghar, says, “The NMMC should try to develop at least one dog park, no matter how small or with lest equipment and facilities. It would help a lot of pet parents in Navi Mumbai. At least in Kharghar, there are a lot of open and unused plots that pet parents use for walking their dogs or letting them play off the leash for some time. This is not possible in many other nodes that don’t have such open spaces.”

“Navi Mumbai needs dog parks but before that it needs a veterinary hospital, one that the administration has been promising since years,” she adds.

“Navi Mumbai needs dog parks but before that, it needs a veterinary hospital, one that the administration has been promising since years.”
– Advocate Shelly Pandya

Also read: Vashi residents thrilled by NMMC’s pet corner; wish for many more

An alternative to developing dog parks in Navi Mumbai from scratch

There is an alternative to developing a dog park from scratch in Navi Mumbai and saving money if the budget doesn’t allow.

How? Well, there are lot of open and green spaces in almost all nodes of Navi Mumbai. These spots whether or not market for any project, lie unused and unattended. These can be used for dog walk and play activities.

The idea is to zero in on one such spot or multiple spots in individual nodes and turn them into official dog parks or zones.

If nothing else then only a strong and sturdy fence and basic facilities like water and loo would suffice.

The priority here is to provide dedicated spots for dog walking or play and even one with bare minimum facilities would suffice. The need is for privacy and liberty (away from ever glaring eyes and cursing tongues).

Some possible disadvantages or cons of having a dog park

Well, off-leash dog parks can have some disadvantages or cons too as follows:

Potential of danger from aggressive dogs for both humans and dogs
Passing on of ticks and other diseases from one dog to another
Over-excited dogs getting out of control and getting into inappropriate acts
An increased level of noise pollution owing to incessant barking of dogs
Not ideal for hosting big and small dogs at the same time
Possibility of damage to plants in the park
Possibility of getting dogs hurt owing to unsafe equipment in the park
Increased cleaning/sanitation work for caretakers of such parks
Possible increase in the maintenance cost of the park
Possibility of skirmishes between dog owners
Complaints from neighboring societies about inconvenient barking noise

These are some of the major disadvantages or cons that a dog park can have. However, with correct planning and strict rules, it can be a fruitful effort.

Strict pointers or rules to be followed by pet dog parents in dog parks

If ever, Navi Mumbai gets a dog park then it would be very important for pet parents to play their part responsibly and look after their dogs in the park

Following rules should have to be followed in Navi Mumbai Dog Parks (once developed)

Don’t bring aggressive pet dogs to the dog park
Always keep our dog on a leash if he/she tends to get excited and carried away
Maintain safe distance from other aggressive or unwelcoming dogs
Don’t let your pet dogs chew on or uproot plants in the dog park
Ensure that your pet dog is not suffering from ticks or any other infectious disease
Always pick your pet dog’s poop as a responsible pet parent
Make sure that your pet dog doesn’t indulge in inappropriate behaviour
Never leave your dog unattended for any reason
Avoid going to the park if your pet dog barks incessantly without reason

As a responsible pet dog parent always keep these points in mind before venturing out to a dog park or in the local area.

NMMC’s delayed plans to develop a dog park in Navi Mumbai

Surprisingly, in February 2019, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC), had announced their decision to develop a dog park in Vashi, based on a proposal moved by a local corporator.

The said dog park was meant to be Navi Mumbai’s first such park to be developed within the Veer Savarkar municipal garden at sector 8 in Vashi. The park, exclusively meant for dogs, was to cover 870 sq m of the existing garden, and would have cost Rs. 29.4 lakh.

The best part of the dog park was the plan to install dog friendly play equipment like low-level see-saws, steps and slopes, among other things.

The park was set to be completed and let open for Navi Mumbai’s pet dogs in the month of April, 2019. However, the plan never took off for reasons unknown.

In a similar fashion, another such park proposed to be developed in Nerul could also not get materialized.

So, plans of developing a dog park in Navi Mumbai has never taken off for various reasons in the past and now, owing to the pandemic, every such project may take more time than ever.

P.S. We did not take any official quote from NMMC for dog parks in Navi Mumbai. However, we will be discussing with them after publishing this article.

Our (LocalPress.in) Opinion
Well, there is a lot that can be done for pet dogs as well as street dogs if the administration diligently pursues and executes plans that are rotting on paper. If Navi Mumbai citizens recollect, the city is still waiting for the “Animal Hospital” promised years ago. Where is that?
It is understood that if an important things like an animal hospital can be sidelined for whatsoever reason, then a “luxury provision” like a “dog park” stands no chance.
We just hope that the administration will start priortising and find reasons to do things rather than giving explanations about why they can’t do them.
To be frank, there is no space crunch in Navi Mumbai so developing things like dog parks, skating rinks, cycling tracks and other such things would do much good to the city than developing unused or undesired golf courses.

December 3, 2020 0 comments

Meet the Young Sunday Eco Warriors Cleaning Our Mountains and Ponds

Featured Kharghar News

Meet Navi Mumbai’s Sunday Eco Warriors Cleaning City Mountains and Ponds

by Staff Reporter November 29, 2020

written by Staff Reporter

Aged between 18 and 27, these young boys and girls, students and corporate workers alike, spend their Sundays cleaning mountains and ponds in Navi Mumbai

Meet Navi Mumbai's Sunday Eco Warriors Cleaning City Mountains and Ponds — *A team of volunteers of CreateTogether Foundation with bags of trash collected from the pond near Taloja Jail, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai (Photo LocalPress.in)*

Navi Mumbai: They are young, have other jobs to do and only get Sundays as weekly offs from their schooling or demanding corporate jobs. But that doesn’t stop them from getting out of bed early in the morning, mobilising their teams and doing what they think is their responsibility – cleaning the mountains and ponds of Navi Mumbai!

Yes, and they do it when most of the residents are fast asleep and unaware that somebody else is cleaning their neighbourhood (of their filth!).

The fact is, that city mountains and ponds are in “a terrible state”, whether we accept it or not and very few people are concerned or putting in efforts to do something productive about it apart from holding the local administration responsible.

Yes, the local administration is responsible, but what about our responsibility?

The answer to that question is tricky, right? Why should we do something that the authorities and sweepers are getting paid to do, right?

It is their job, isn’t it?

Well, a mind-set like that creates dirty and filthy localities and neighbourhoods!

Thankfully, we have individuals and organisations like CreateTogether Foundation, who know better, and are aware of the fact that pointing fingers doesn’t get the job done – doing the job does it, and for good!

We share a tête-à-tête with the founder, Deepak Vishwakarma of CreateTogether Foundation (and the rest of the team too).

So how, or rather why, did you think of forming an organisation?

“Well, that’s a long story but to keep it short for now we would say that we like to go on trekking and natire walks a lot and during most of our outings we would find a lot of garbage in the mountains and hills. It was the same with the water bodies, like ponds, dams and rivers too. A strange yet known fact is that many people venture out to find peace in nature but in return to the calmness they get, they simply throw their trash around.”

“They litter like animals do at dustbins – throwing around plastic water bottles and food packets like scavengers. Some even find joy in breaking beer bottles. How idiotic is that?”

So, we thought of keeping it simple and decided to include cleaning these places in our trekking schedules. In that way, it wouldn’t have asked for an extra effort and we would be happy to have done our part towards nature. So, we started collecting such filth and more and more trekkers and nature lovers started joining us and here we are with a formal organisation.”

“It may be somebody else’s waste but it is our neighbourhood, city and country. We need to strive for them on a personal level. Complaining bears no fruits, only contempt.”
– Deepak Vishwakarma, Founder, CreateTogether Foundation

How responsible do you think the people are in local communities?

“Well, it is very sad to see people visiting mountains, hills and other natural habitats and clicking selfies for social media platforms but at the same time creating a chain of filth wherever they go.”

“Some of them even go to lengths to take photos of the filth and start pointing fingers on others. People have a general tendency of leaving behind their trash for the sweepers as they are the ones who are responsible for maintaining cleanliness in local areas.”

“The general thinking of people that it is not their job, and that somebody else who is assigned the job, will clean after them, is the reason for such a situation.”

“Look around, we, as a people, are simply creating filth wherever we go, be they hill stations, tourist destinations, pilgrimages or other place where people converge. All such places have to bear with the irresponsibility of well-educated yet low-minded individuals.”

How responsible is the administration to maintain cleanliness of mountains and ponds and other such places?

“Like I said earlier, the administration will do their part in their capacity but it is first the responsibility of the people who are generating the filth. If we don’t create filth unnecessarily, there will be less to clean up and the time and resources will then be spent on doing other productive things.”

“The administration should however, be strict about eco-offenses as their lethargy and unwillingness to penalise such people, has been encouraging them to do more damage. It is because of the lacking of a vigilant monitoring system and process, that people exploit such freedom.”

“It is not the responsibility of the civic authority alone but also of every individual, to ensure that they don’t create filthy neighbourhoods in the first place.”
– Saurabh Singh, Joint Director, CreateTogether Foundation

There are many other organisations doing the same thing as you do, so how do you differ from them?

“Well, that is the thing! We are not different from anyone and that is what we want everybody to know – we are all one and the same and carry the same responsibilities upon our shoulders. It is our neighbourhood and we need to strive for it in very possible way.”

“In that way, and many others, we are the same.”

Can you tell us a little more about CreateTogether Foundation?

“Well, CreateTogether Foundation is a registered organisation based out of Kalamboli, Navi Mumbai, with more than 300 volunteers and participants from all across the city and even Mumbai. We are dedicated to the humble cause of cleaning up our city’s mountains, hills and surrounding natural habitats like ponds and rivers.”

“Apart from that, we do have different programmes to serve the society in every possible manner through causes dedicated to women, animals, children, education, health and general awareness of the people.”

What kind of work have you been doing lately?

“Since more than two months (11 weeks) we have been busy with our Mountain Clean-up Drives going on in Kharghar, Taloja and Kalamboli. It has been a great success as around 15-20 volunteers show up every day to contribute.”

“You will be surprised to know that till date, we have been able to collect more than 1.5 metric ton of waste from various hills in Mumbai and nearby places. Apart from picking up the trash, we also segregate, recycle and manage it responsibly.”

What other things do you do or plan to do part from clean-up drives?

“Apart from clean-up drives, we also conduct awareness programmes for citizens, especially children, as they are the ones who can be moulded into a responsible future generation. We try to make people aware about the many harmful effects of their behaviour on the environment and wildlife.”

“The focus is on working out feasible solutions for waste-related problems like availability of clean water, health and sanitation problems.”

“Our pledge is to make every individual, that we come across, own up to his or her responsibility towards the environment and contribute in practical ways rather that crib about the failure of the administration to tackle such issues. It is everybody’s problem and all have to work together.”

Can you sum up the objectives of CreateTogether Foundation in short?

“Well, we do have pointers for that as follows:

Provide and promote sustainable waste management systems in Mumbai and places nearby.
Provide environmental education and recycling programs in schools and communities.
Improve and maintain public spaces.
Educate and raise environmental awareness.
Promote, sell and use environmentally friendly and recycled products.
Provide voluntary, employment and training opportunities.

Our Long Term Aims are as follows:

To run national campaigns throughout India.
To set up waste management systems across India.

So, these are our short and long term goal.”

How does CreateTogether Foundation bear the clean-up expenses? Are your activities sponsored?

“To be frank, our “Mountain Clean-up Campaign” is running entirely on our own funds. We do look out for like-minded sponsors to push the campaign forward more effectively as the organisation is growing every month and more and more people keep joining every month. There is need to procure adequate necessary tools to expand our outreach. We somehow manage with whatever funds we are able to arrange collectively.”

“While we have receieved some contributions from like-minded people for some of our other activities, we do need funds to procure tools to expand our clean-up drives to more locations and hence invite willing sponsors to contribute in any manner possible.”

What is the message that you want to pass on to the people?

“The message is very simple – Do your part in keeping our environment clean by not throw trash around. It is very simple and will not take extra efforts.”

“For those who simply keep complaining about the kind of filth in their respective neighbourhoods without doing anything at all – Stop complaining and start doing something!!”

An affirming message from the entire team of CreateTogether Foundation

“We are a family of kind sapiens on a mission to let our environment live its life with peace! We will never stop for any reason whatsoever, and always keep on cleaning and clearing every kind of waste from the paths of our environment, towards a peaceful living.”

Mountains are Earth’s undecaying monuments!
Don’t let them decay!
Clean up and Let them Live
– CreateTogether Foundation

For our readers:

CreateTogether Foundation also organises special activities, clean-ups and events in the community and schools to celebrate important occasions such as World Environment Day, Earth Day etc.

The organisation has undertaken several art projects to improve unsightly areas and to convey a “Clean and Green” message while raising awareness about the importance of “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle”.

Identifying proper education as the key to a better world, the organisation has also been conducting painting competitions for children. The objective has always been to educate and sensitise children about the urgent need to safeguard the environment.

To learn more about the kind of work CreateTogether Foundation does on a regular basis, refer to the following links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreateTogetherFoundation/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createtogetherfoundation
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CreateTogetherFoundation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CreateTogetherF

To make donations in favour of CreateTogether Foundation:

To contribute in any way and every way possible by helping equip these eco warriors to carry out their work effectively you can donate through:

Bank Name: Union Bank of India
Account Name: CreateTogether Foundation
Account Number: A/C No: 482001010111556
IFSC Code: UBIN0548201
UPI Payment: Google Pay – Paytm – Phonpe: 8898477016

November 29, 2020 1 comment

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