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Over 10k school, college students expected at River March in Mumbai

When we raise awareness about the importance of rivers in the city and the need to rejuvenate them, it is the next generation which will be in a position for better action five years down the line, says Gopal Jhaveri

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A file photo of the River March last year
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River March, a movement started four years ago by few activists in Mumbai to save the city's four rivers namely -- Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara and Mithi -- is gaining wide popularity among the youth and encouragement to fight environmental pollution.

This year the River March, which is going to be organised on March 4 on the banks of Dahisar river, is expected to be attended by over 10,000 students from various schools and colleges of Mumbai.

"When we raise awareness about the importance of rivers in the city and the need to rejuvenate them, it is the next generation which will be in a position for better action five years down the line. Thus, we focus on students and 15 to 20 schools and colleges are joining the march this year. Out of the expected attendance of 40,000 people, 30 per cent will be students," said Gopal Jhaveri, organiser of the River March.

Last year, the group had organised four separate river marches at the four above mentioned rivers. However, this year the organisers have decided to conduct the march only at Dahisar river, considering the huge crowd expected for the event. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, his wife Amruta and State Minister for Finance & Planning and Forest, Sudhir Mungantiwar will also join the river march this year, Jhaveri said.

"We cannot blame the municipal corporation for inaction and for allowing the rivers to get polluted. It is us people who are also responsible for polluting the rivers. When we decide to act together to save our rivers, the students play an important role," Jhaveri said.

"Institutes such as Rustomjee school, Singapore International, St Mary School, Khalsa College, Mithibai College, Patkar College are among the 15 institutions who have agreed to join the march," said a volunteer.

WHAT IS RIVER MARCH

  • A movement by activists aimed at creating awareness about rivers and seeking the rejuvenation of the rivers by striving to free them from encroachment and save the remaining mangroves.
     
  • The March is basically a 3-km long walkathon on the banks of Dahisar river to observe the condition of the polluted and encroached river, which has actually lost the appearance of a river and looks more like a nullah.
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