In a unique initiative aimed at environmental conservation, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has partnered with local fishing communities and professional divers to repurpose discarded fishing nets into basketball court nets across Mumbai and Thane. The innovative project involves retrieving abandoned fishing nets, which pose a significant threat to marine life, and transforming them into durable basketball nets. One such example can be found at the YMCA basketball court in Colaba, where players admire the strong blue mesh woven from repurposed fishing nets.
The initiative extends beyond just one court, with additional nets installed at Euro Schools in Thane and Vikhroli. By repurposing these nets, the NBA aims to mitigate the environmental damage caused by discarded fishing gear in the marine environment. Murtuza Madraswala, head of marketing, content & communications at NBA India, explains the collaborative effort involved in launching the ‘Nets for Change’ programme. Working alongside the Leo Burnett MEA team, the initiative engaged fishermen and divers from Versova fishing village, Madh Island, and Cuffe Parade Machhimar Nagar to collect discarded nets weighing 1,000 kg.
These retrieved nets, often referred to as ‘ghost nets,’ are sorted, washed, and evaluated to determine their suitability for reuse. Larger nets are repaired and returned to fishing communities, while smaller fragments are knotted to meet the NBA’s specifications for basketball nets. Notably, fishermen themselves handcraft these nets, highlighting the community-driven nature of the project. Dev Saighal, a scuba diver and marine conservationist involved in the initiative, emphasises the importance of retrieving ghost nets to prevent further harm to marine life and coral reefs. He describes encountering nets entangled with various debris and marine organisms during dives, underscoring the urgent need for action.
The initiative has garnered support from local fishing communities, who recognise the value of repurposing old nets for environmental and practical purposes. Vijay Worlikar, vice chairman of the National Association of Fishermen, highlights the fishing community’s long standing tradition of supplying nets for various sports events and grounds in the city.
Overall, the project demonstrates the potential for creative solutions to address environmental challenges while fostering community engagement and sustainable practices. By repurposing discarded fishing nets, the NBA’s initiative sets a positive example for sustainable resource management and environmental stewardship in sports and beyond.
SOURCE-TOI
