THE PROBLEM AT THE ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS:
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands have marine litter from 20 countries!!
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are popular for their beautiful beaches, but they're dealing with a unique problem. Waste from twenty countries is reaching their shores through ocean currents, causing an ongoing environmental issue.
This is steadily disturbing the ecological balance of these once-pristine islands!
Garima Poonia, a waste management professional who visited the islands, couldn't ignore the pressing issue. Driven to make a difference, Garima Poonia, with over 7 years of waste management expertise across India, founded The Kachrewaale Project in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This initiative marks the establishment of a scalable waste management system in the prime tourist spots of the Andaman Islands and rural areas—a historic first for the islands. Her current focus is on addressing marine litter reaching the Indian coastline from other countries, giving rise to the birth of 'The Kachrewaale Project' (TKP).
This crowdfunding initiative is being done by TKP in partnership with the Rotary Club of Mumbai SOBO.
THE BACKDROP:
In the stunning Andaman and Nicobar Islands, tourist hotspots like Havelock and Neil were grappling with a severe waste management crisis as garbage was carelessly dumped or set ablaze, tarnishing the island's natural beauty. Witnessing this environmental challenge, Garima, captivated by the islands' charm, felt a deep need for change.
The Kachrewaale Project (TKP) aims to bring about a positive shift by creating awareness, implementing sustainable practices, and renewing the commitment to safeguard the island's breathtaking landscapes.
The plan involves extensive beach cleanups for Neil and Havelock, along with 18 other islands within the two Marine National Parks.
Pic: A beach at Neil Island.
THE KACHREWAALE PROJECT (TKP):
(Pic: TKP teams dive to clean up the sea.)
- The initiative involves a comprehensive effort, incorporating 40 beach cleanups and approximately 60 underwater dives.
- The project extends beyond Neil Island, encompassing Havelock Island and 18 other islands within two Marine National Parks.
- Underwater data collection is something that is unique about this project.
- The funds required are INR 27L.
This is the 1st waste management initiative in the Andamans. A system has been set up at Neil, from source segregation to final processing. Recently, TKP organized one of the first underwater clean-ups on the islands. About 12 kg of trash were picked by scuba divers from about 10 meters under the ocean surface at a coral reef site locally called the Lighthouse, close to the Bharatpur Jetty at Neil Island. The trash consisted of plastic bottles, poly bags, fishing nets, cement bags, electronic waste, etc. Some of these items were heavily intertwined with the corals and had to be taken out very carefully. All four divers who conducted the cleanup were locals from the islands.
Pic: The TKP teams segregate the waste that is collected. The litter is from 20 countries, including Thailand, Indonesia, etc.
In the 2022-2023 season, The Kachrewaale Project (TKP) collected, analyzed, and sent 1600 kilos for processing. Every single object within this 1600 kilos was analyzed on several parameters. This season, they have processed about 800 kilos so far.
EXPENSE BREAK-UP:
ABOUT ME:
My name is ANISH LAKHOTIA. I am a Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Mumbai, SOBO. I am a concerned citizen and used to be fairly athletic. Being an environmentally conscious individual, in the past, I have participated in a few beach clean-up projects in the past, which were extremely fulfilling. In 2022, I had to undergo a serious lumbar scoliosis (SPINE) 10 hour surgery, which has currently restricted my ability to bend, twist, squat, run, jog or play any sport. So even though providing the required physical efforts for similar cleanups is currently not possible for me, the love for the environment, nevertheless, has continued.
My fellow Rotarians and I are coming together to tackle a grave issue that plagues one of the most pristine areas of India: - The Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are popular holiday destinations with supposedly pristine beaches. But currently, these beaches are in a terrible state, with marine litter everywhere. The island is a haven for tourists. The locals are unfortunately finding it difficult to tackle this problem.
The Kachrewaale Project (TKP) is an NGO and initiative started by Garima Poonia (a waste management expert) with the objective of cleaning up the beaches in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The plan is to conduct 40 beach cleanups and approximately 60 underwater dives on the beaches of an area called Neil Island, Havelock Island, and 18 other islands, which are part of two Marine National Parks. This endeavor requires approximately INR 27 lakh in funding. If more funds are raised, then more beaches will be cleaned. Please continue to fund my campaign even if it goes past the goal since the total amount to be raised is very high.
Presently, I can't run or jog for the dream run, but to support the cause, I am definitely brisk walking the dream run. You will find me there with all my passion for supporting the cause. Support this campaign and let us make the Andaman and Nicobar Islands 'Heaven on Earth' again. Many thanks.
IN THE NEWS:
LOCATIONS PLANNED:
ABOUT THE ROTARY CLUB OF MUMBAI SOBO:
Rotary SOBO has partnered with TKP for this campaign.
The Rotary Club of Mumbai SOBO is a humanitarian service organization aiming to improve lives in communities locally and worldwide. Rotarians are a dedicated group of change-makers from all walks of life, committed to the core values of Rotary International: Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity, and Leadership.
Our Rotary Club’s motto "In Giving, We Receive" has spiraled service supporting educational projects, tackling hunger, housing, health, and hygiene and we champion sustainable projects that help curb poverty and promote clean water, sanitation, and fight disease and disability. Caring for the environment and fostering peace initiatives are other areas of our focus. We believe each person can make a difference, and kindness goes a long way.
Our club has over 85 members and we have been making massive changes and social impacts over the last 2 years. We have helped hospitals during COVID, impacted children with educational assistance, funded pediatric heart surgeries, and prosthetic limbs initiated vocational training of women, distributed over 12,000 meals, helped a safe home for women, supported the school on wheels programs, undertaken numerous beach and mangrove clean-ups, and organised events in support of stray animals, etc.
We have in the last 2 years raised over INR 2.5 CR for different social initiatives that have helped make the world a better place.
TAX BENEFITS:
Funding for this campaign is eligible for tax breaks as Rotary SOBO, Mumbai, is a registered NGO and you can avail of benefits under section 80G of IT act.
FAQs
Will we get to know the details of who benefitted?
Yes. After the money has been collected it will be transferred by Fueladream to Rotary SOBO, Mumbai. They will update you on the details of the project as soon as possible. Once we get this information we shall upload a report on the UPDATES section of this campaign. You will then get an alert and can read details.
When do we get the receipts?
It takes up to 2 weeks after the campaign is closed for the monies to be transferred to the Rotary Club of Mumbai SOBO Charitable Trust. The receipts will start getting processed about 4 to 6 weeks AFTER the campaign is closed and will be sent to you directly.
How can we fund this campaign with a Cheque?
Fueladream Online Ventures Pvt Ltd account details are as below
BANK NAME: HDFC Bank Limited.
BRANCH: Koramangala( Main Branch). City: Bengaluru - 560095.
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 50200013106778
IFSC CODE: HDFC0000053
Please draw a cheque in favor of "Fueladream Online Ventures Pvt Ltd", and deposit the cheque into the Fueladream Online Ventures Pvt Ltd HDFC Bank account (any branch across INDIA). After you deposit the cheque, please send an email to prasad@fueladream.com AND getintouch@fueladream.com with the following funder information.
1) Name of Funder:
2) Full address with Pin code:
3) Telephone/Mobile no and Email ID:
4) PAN of the funder:
5) Cheque number:
6) Amount funded:
7) Whose campaign are you funding. (Name of the person OR campaign number/ID):
After the funds are received and the above details are verified, the fund amount will be transferred to the respective campaign. This can take from 1-3 working days.
How does crowdfunding work?
Crowdfunding in India is a relatively new concept & is growing very quickly.
It’s a concept that allows a large number of funders (like you) to fund an idea or a cause or event by giving small amounts of money online. Fueladream.com is a crowdfunding platform in India that allows for such pooling of funds. You can fund innovations and ideas on FuelADream and be the first to get these products or make them come true. You can also do a good turn by funding charities and causes through crowdfunding. When you fund a charity it’s more like a donation and you get small innovative rewards like a shout-out on an FB page or a thank you email from the beneficiaries.
