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Once upon a time, there was a magical place, with clear blue seas and powdery beaches, where the tropical sun beat down on an ocean bed that was teeming with wildlife. This place was known as Versova. Perhaps this fairy tale was once a reality but for most of us, Mumbai’s beaches are better known as toxic wastelands riddled with trash and to be avoided at all costs. What most of us saw as a potential spot for septicemia lawyer Afroz Shah saw as an opportunity for change. He triggered a movement that brought people together along the 2.5 kilometre-long beach, and over 109 weeks, they completely transformed the area [read about the entire beach clean up here].
Shah has always been a lover of nature and especially the ocean. It pained him to watch a beach with so much potential turn into a public dumping ground, and he was determined that it would be stopped. Thanks to Shah, members of Versova Residents Volunteers and numerous other Mumbaikars that joined in to clean up the beach. Shah along with the volunteers from 12 countries tirelessly worked and over the span of almost over 2 years have cleaned up nine million kilograms of waste. Shah’s efforts have inspired many and he was even bestowed the United Nation’s Champions of The Earth award for his unparalleled contribution to the oceans.
Sadly, after all his work, on Sunday Shah announced that his efforts have come to an end. Completely disheartened Shah posted Twitter stating, “Administrative lethargy, non-clearance of picked up garbage and abuses is what we are facing. World’s largest beach cleanup is suspended. Further lamenting his woes he adds, “Tried my best and I failed. Forgive me my ocean and my country.”
When a single person works hard to initiate a positive change, bringing together people from all around the world and then gets beaten down for it, it’s a sad, sad day. Speaking to The Logical Indian Shah explains the problems he and his team have been facing caught in a battle with the authorities for some six weeks now. He expresses their failure to clear the waste collected by the team from the area as well as intimidation members have faced at the hands of local goons. The Logical Indian states, “He says that there are certain people who would sit on the beach and drink and cause a ruckus. They would litter the beach and would hurl abuses when somebody would try to clean it up.” Speaking to the publication Shah stated, “I told them if you cannot help at least say ‘Thank You’ for cleaning. We have struggled, we have been cleaning up other people’s garbage without complaining. Yet if we are abused and threatened then what is the point?”
Complaints were made regarding female volunteers being chased with sticks and abused but no subsequent action was taken by the authorities. Without the support of the community, local authorities and the government, there is only so much people like Shah can really do however good their intentions may be. Mumbai Mirror reports that Versova corporator Yogiraj Dabhadkar and MLA Bharti Lavhekar has set up a meeting with BMC officials and Shah to solve the matter at the earliest.
Click here to read Afroz Shah’s interview with The Logical Indian.
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