In the name of Earth

Kevalya Sheth from Aditya Birla World Academy, dreams of living in a clean Mumbai where people follow basic civic rules and don’t pollute.

Kevalya Sheth from Aditya Birla World Academy, dreams of living in a clean Mumbai where people follow basic civic rules and don’t pollute.

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This is why on the eve of the 40th World Earth Day on Wednesday, he signed up to be one of the 100 students from two Mumbai schools — Aditya Birla World Academy and the American School of Bombay — to clean Mumbai Central on Wednesday.

“We went to the station with posters and cleaned up as much as we could but I don’t think it made a difference,” said the 12-year-old. “I wish people in Mumbai would make more of an effort to turn ours into a world class city.” The event was organised by the Children’s Movement for Civic Awareness, a non-government organisation.

Citizens and activists are making an effort to do their bit to send out eco-friendly messages on World Earth Day this year.

In Powai, the Young Environmentalists Programme Trust will conduct a tree plantation drive at Powai Vihar Gardens on Thursday and an awareness programme to educate citizens about the disadvantages of using plastic. The programme will teach local women how to make cloth bags at home.

In Goregaon, a cleanliness drive organised by the Bombay Natural History Society will have residents clean 10 acres of the Goregaon part of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

“We will pick up non-biodegradable garbage like plastic cups and plates that have been lying there for months,” said Sachin Chorge, education officer, conservation education centre.