Maharashtra: A special event was organized in Navi Mumbai on the occasion of International Yoga Day to raise awareness about health and the environment. Jointly organized by the Environment Life Foundation (ELF) and Shivomay Yoga and Wellness, the event featured a yoga session alongside a mangrove cleanup drive at the beach. Despite light rain, approximately 40 volunteers participated in the morning event, engaging in the activities with great enthusiasm.
The mangrove cleanup drive, spearheaded by the Environment Life Foundation, reached its 305th weekly milestone on this occasion. This long-running campaign aims to clean the mangrove areas along Navi Mumbai’s coastline and promote environmental conservation. By combining yoga with environmental conservation on this special day, the event sought to convey the message that protecting nature is just as essential as maintaining physical health.
The yoga session was held amidst the natural surroundings of the mangrove area, offering participants a unique experience. It was led by Deepali Udiavar—founder of Shivomay Yoga and Wellness, an integrative yoga practitioner, and a psychotherapist. She guided participants through various yoga postures (asanas) and breathing exercises designed to foster mental peace and physical well-being.
According to the organizers, the goal of such events extends beyond practicing yoga; it is also about instilling a sense of environmental responsibility in people. Combining yoga with the cleanup drive allowed participants to feel closer to nature and realize that environmental conservation is a collective responsibility.
Even amidst the light rain, volunteers participated in the cleanup drive with great zeal, removing plastic and other waste from the mangrove area. The organizers noted that this campaign, which has been running continuously for 305 weeks, has now evolved into a regular social movement, with local residents increasingly joining the cause. Participants at the event remarked that integrating yoga with environmental conservation is a unique initiative, raising awareness about both health and nature. The organizers expressed their intention to continue such programs in the future, enabling more people to join the campaign and incorporate environmental conservation into their daily lives.
Overall, the event not only succeeded in making Yoga Day special but also proved effective in reinforcing the message of environmental conservation.
