Mangaluru: What began as two residents cleaning up a neglected stretch during the Covid-19 pandemic has grown into a community-led environmental movement, with London Park Friends of Krishnapura. The association organised a ‘Big Cleaning Drive’ across Kukkady, Krishnapura and Chokabettu on Saturday. The drive began at 7 am from Paradise Ground, with a large number of local youth and students taking part in cleaning activities. The early-morning schedule was chosen to ensure participants could work without being exposed to the intense daytime heat.Mohammad Sadiq, president of London Park Friends, said the initiative had its roots in the pandemic, when regular morning walks brought the deteriorating condition of the area to their attention. “This started back during the 2021 Covid-19 pandemic, when we used to come here for walks and noticed the area had become a hub for illicit activities. With drug addicts and other antisocial elements taking over the space, two of us who regularly walked here simply decided to join forces and start cleaning it ourselves. That small effort eventually grew into the community organisation driving today’s massive campaign,” he said.Over the past three years, the organisation has been involved in clearing unauthorised dumping yards in the area. Saturday’s campaign saw participation from students of Al Badriya English Medium High School, Chaitanya Public School, Heera Public School, Jamiya School and locals from neighbouring areas. As part of the initiative, organisers had conducted one-hour environmental conservation lectures at school campuses before the drive to familiarise students with the importance of waste management and environmental protection.The campaign also brought together residents and volunteers from different faiths and backgrounds. Former MLA Mohiuddin Bava attended the programme as the special guest. Organisers said the initiative was intended to encourage greater civic participation among youngsters, while also creating awareness about keeping public spaces clean. They said more extensive civic and environmental initiatives are planned in the coming days, with the message, ‘A cleaner tomorrow starts with us’.
