Navi Mumbai: While celebratory events were being held across Navi Mumbai on the occasion of Mother’s Day, mangrove conservationists organised a clean up drive and removed nearly 500 kg of trash, including micro plastic and medical waste, to save Mother Earth on May 11.

The volunteers removed nearly 500 kgs of trash out of which 80 per cent was micro plastic and rest was medical waste, Prof Sushil S Jadhav, a volunteer from Environment Life Foundation (ELF) which organised the 247th mangrove clean up drive, said.

“Mother Earth can only be saved when the dumped trash will be cleaned,” Prof Jadhav said. “The earth is begging for fresh air as her pores have been choked up due to non-stop garbage dumping. We have been organising mangrove clean up drives every week to keep Mother Earth clean,” he said.

Spending a day under the scorching summer sun was not an easy feat. The heat drained the energy of the volunteers and dehydration loomed large.

“In spite of the scorching heat, the satisfaction of contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment made every drop of sweat worthy. Our collective action not only beautifies the coastline but also safeguards marine life and wildlife habitats,” Dharmesh Barai, founder, ELF said.