“Chiplun is nestled between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, which gives it a unique geographical setting. It is located on the banks of the Vashishthi River in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra, India. The river plays a significant role in the town’s landscape and has a historical and cultural significance in the region. The region is renowned for its natural beauty, featuring lush greenery, hills, rivers, and valleys. The biodiversity here is rich, with a variety of flora and fauna that attract nature lovers and eco-tourists.”

Participating in the event offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty and rich biodiversity of the Konkan region. You can enjoy the scenic route that showcases landmarks like Statue of Shri Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the Vashishthi River and Govindgad Fort while connecting with the local culture, people, and delicious Konkani food. By running in this event, you’re not only competing to win a medal but also contributing to an important cause—raising awareness about the need to eliminate plastic waste. Your participation sends a strong message of environmental responsibility, encouraging others to join in the effort to protect and preserve the environment.

The theme is “Run to eliminate plastic waste”.

Our fight with plastic waste

Similarly like the rest of the world, Chiplunkar are facing detrimental effects of the plastic waste. But instead of blaming on others, Sangharsha Krida Mandal (SKM) & Sahyadri Nisarga Mitra (SNM) & the residents of Chiplun are working together to fight of this problem. The movement initiated in Chiplun & now has spread in Khed, Guhagar & Sangameshwar block.

SNM, has taken a significant step towards addressing plastic pollution through its Plastic Waste Management initiative in Chiplun and surrounding regions. This project, focuses on the collection of plastic waste from households, shops, and market areas in Chiplun, Guhagar, and Khed Block. The initiative has garnered substantial community involvement, with residents actively participating in waste segregation and using WhatsApp groups to schedule collection requests. 

The project’s fleet of electric and CNG vehicles collects over 300 kg of plastic waste daily, showcasing the community’s commitment to creating a cleaner environment. So far, we successfully sent 1,63,276 kg plastic waste to recycling.

 Although the initiative has phased out rewards for household plastic waste, it continues to incentivize commercial entities, reinforcing the collective effort towards sustainable waste management. The community’s active engagement has been pivotal in ensuring the success of this initiative, reflecting a growing awareness and responsibility towards environmental conservation.