Harshad Dhage Founder & President of For Future India Environmental Youth Organisation
Harshad Dhage, the Founder and President of for Future India Environmental Youth Organisation, has been making a difference in society through his environmental activities. His efforts began with weekly “Beach Cleanups” from January 2020, which aimed to raise awareness about the impact of plastic pollution on aquatic life and to clean up tons of plastic waste from the beach. Harshad also recognized the significance of “Mangroves Cleanup” to ensure that the coastal area remains clean from waste coming from the sea.
Since starting the Beach Cleanup Drive with his organization, For Future India, they have cleaned several beaches, including Uttan Beach, Velankanni Beach, Gorai Beach, and Manori Beach, with the help of 25,000+ volunteers over 200 times. They have successfully removed approximately 10,50,000+ kg of waste and plastic materials. Harshad Dhage’s organization also undertook the task of informing people about the benefits and importance of mangroves, which border the sea. Many college and school students, as well as locals from the city, participated in the campaign.
Over the last 12 months, Harshad Dhage and his team started a mangroves forest cleaning campaign at Bhayander East Khadi, Bhayander West, Gorai Khadi, Manori Mangrove Region, and have managed to remove more than 200 tons of garbage from these areas. This campaign is ongoing, and they have achieved great success in their efforts.
Harshad Dhage and his For Future India has also planted more than 3000+ trees in the city, recognizing the need for oxygen and the benefits it would provide to the locals. Additionally, FFI has carried out a “FORT CLEANING ACTIVITY” on ‘Janjire Dharavi Killa’. Along with trekking, FFI has carried out cleanup activities on many forts. As part of the mission of Swachh Survekshan, also conducted the ‘Plog Run 2022’ in February 2021, with the support of MBMC. They have also made efforts to remove and reuse debris dumped in mangroves in correspondence with the administration, helping to conserve the marine forest.
Awards & Recognitions
Harshad Dhage was also recognized as a two-time Swachhta Champion under the Swachh Survekshan. The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation carried out various cleaning activities in the Swachh Bharat Mission, and For Future India gave their valuable contribution. Hence, Harshad Dhage was given the title of “Swachh Champion.” Additionally, he signed an MoU with the Mangrove Foundation, Forest Department of Maharashtra, on the occasion of #WorldWetlandsDay for Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation & Cleanup Drive in Thane & Mumbai region. This Memorandum of Understanding will play a crucial role in Mangrove and Marine Biodiversity Conservation & Cleanup Drive. Harshad Dhage has been recognized for his environmental work with several awards and recognitions. He was chosen as the Environment Envoy of Mira Bhayandar City under the Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan 2.0 undertaken by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Maharashtra. The initiative focuses on the five elements of nature, including land, water, air, fire, and sky. The Government of Maharashtra and Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation selected Harshad as the Environment Envoy for Mira Bhayander city under the initiative.