Mega clean-up tackles plastic pollution on Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve beach
The Mega Beach Clean-Up was organised by the Consulate General of India, Durban, and the eThekwini Municipality.
THE Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve played host to the G20 Mega Beach Clean-Up Campaign on Sunday.
The clean-up mirrored scores of others around the world as Mumbai, India, played host to the third Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) meeting.
The Mega Beach Clean-Up, which was organised by the Consulate General of India, Durban, in partnership with eThekwini Municipality, saw more than 800 residents, environmental activists, learners and volunteers clean the reserve’s beach.
The event is a global initiative that aims to raise awareness of the impact of litter on the marine environment and to encourage people to take action to stop it.
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The event also commemorated 30 years of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa.
Speaking on the occasion, Consul General of India, Dr Thelma John David, highlighted the message behind the theme of India’s G20 Presidency – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future).
In all, 3 000kg of litter were removed from the beach.
Basil Pather, conservation manager at Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, hailed the event as a success.
“This event was to raise awareness about the impact of marine waste on the environment under the theme, One Earth, One Family, One Future. It was absolutely wonderful to see such a diverse group of people participate in the clean-up. We had learners from various primary schools attend; we also had students from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) as well as members of the public and the Consul General of USA participate.
“Our North Durban Honorary Officers were also a key part of this message by taking people and youngsters on guided walks through the Mangroves Reserve. It was also a great way to raise the profile of the reserve as many people remarked that they had no idea this reserve, which is home to the largest population of mangrove trees in Durban, existed. We are also grateful to Adopt-a-River who helped coordinate the clean-up efforts and provided gloves and bags,” he said.
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