On World Cleanup Day and International Coastal Cleanup Day, both observed on September 17, Dawoodi Bohras from different parts of the world joined hands with local authorities, organisations and environment lovers in their respective cities, to undertake various cleanups and awareness programs. These drives were aimed to raise mass awareness about maintaining cleanliness, reducing waste and safeguarding coastlines and waterways.
Here is how volunteers contributed to the cause:
In Mumbai, community members continued the sustained effort of supporting Environmentalist and UN Champion of the Earth Afroz Shah in a beach cleanup at Versova. The event saw the participation of more than 70 volunteers both young and old. Community members also converged at Girgaon Chowpatty in South Mumbai, where they joined the Indian Coast Guard’s initiative to clean the beach. Volunteers from all walks of life came together to pick up plastic and other non-biodegradable trash that was segregated and sent to recycling centres.
Also in commemoration of the International Coastal Cleanup Day, a seminar was conducted by the Indian coastal Guard along with AIPMA and MGS on 12th September 2022 at the Auditorium of Burhani College, the Dawoodi Bohra community’s institute for Higher Education based in Mumbai.
Mr Kushal Patel of ‘My Green Society’ explained the importance of celebrating this Day and pointed out the hazards of polluting the sea. Deputy Commandant, Akashdeep Singh helped students understand the role played by the Indian Navy to protect the country. More than 90 students benefited from the seminar that also covered the important topic of ‘responsible disposal’ of plastic waste.
In line with the Government of India’s ongoing ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ and ‘Swachh Sagar Abhiyan’ initiatives, the Dawoodi Bohra community continues to contribute to cleanliness and sanitation programs across the country.
In the UAE, community members across the region undertook e-waste drives, where they collected more than 3 tonnes of waste for recycling.
Around 500 Dawoodi Bohra volunteers in Dubai joined hands to undertake an e-waste recycling and clean up drive at five locations in and around community centres in Al-Qusais and Warqa. The two-day event was the community’s 15th year of organising a clean-up awareness drive.
Similarly, community members in Sharjah collected approximately two tonnes of waste on the occasion of World Cleanup Day. The drive, which saw the participation of 100 volunteers, was held in partnership with the local municipal body for waste collection Bee’ah, at Al Musallah in Sharjah for two hours.
Communities in the UK and across the Atlantic also made it a point to mark the day by conducting neighbourhood cleanup drives and raising awareness for an ‘end to plastic usage’.
The Dawoodi Bohras of Vancouver, met on September 18th, 2022 in Mission, British Columbia, to tackle the littering problem on the main road along the Fraser River. Members of the community of all ages came from Burnaby, Surrey, Abbotsford and Maple Ridge to help in this endeavour and 304 pounds of garbage was collected.
The community collaborated with The Mission Environmental Stewardship Society. One of the members of the society said ‘We are happy to partner with the Vancouver Dawoodi Bohra community. It is great to see engaged community members of all ages, from different towns working together to help us pick up 304 pounds of litter and dumped furniture. We look forward to collaborating with the community in future endeavours.’
The efforts of the Dawoodi Bohras were mobilised under the aegis of the community’s social welfare arm, Project Rise and the environmental conservation body, Burhani Foundation. Both these organisations launched the ‘Turning the Tide Against Plastic Pollution’ movement in 2018 to spread awareness about the perils of plastic pollution through seminars and weekly beach cleanups and to provide sustained solutions that lead to a waste-free lifestyle.
Here is a glimpse of all the community efforts across the spectrum:
Community members conduct Beach cleanups in different coastal cities
Community members organise and take part in Neighbourhood Cleanups across different parts of the world
