NBA's 'Nets For Change' Initiative Slam Dunks on Marine Pollution in India
This innovative project involves repurposing discarded fishing nets, notorious for polluting the seas, and giving them a second chance on neighborhood basketball courts.
In a groundbreaking move, the NBA has found a unique solution to address the issue of ghost nets causing 80% of marine pollution in India. Each year, more than 5000 tonnes of abandoned fishing nets devastate marine life and disrupt their natural habitats as they wash ashore.
Vijay, a seasoned fisherman with fifteen years of experience, expressed his concern about the increasing pollution in the seas. "It is our responsibility to keep it clean. Whenever our fishing nets tear, I know they create a lot of pollution and devastate marine life," he said.
Enter the NBA's Community Program, which has taken the game of basketball beyond the courts and onto the shores. Through the 'Nets For Change' initiative, the NBA is breathing new life into India's neglected basketball courts, one hoop at a time.
This innovative project involves repurposing discarded fishing nets, notorious for polluting the seas, and giving them a second chance on neighborhood basketball courts. The initiative not only addresses the environmental crisis but also contributes to the revival of basketball infrastructure in communities across the country.
To kick-start the initiative, local diving and fishing communities collaborated to retrieve ghost nets from the ocean. Dev, a local diver and marine conservationist, emphasized the importance of collective responsibility, stating, "The goal here is to get other people to be as responsible about removing pollution, removing the ghost nets from the ocean along with us."
The recovered nets were meticulously sorted and repurposed, transforming them into colorful additions to neglected basketball courts. Local communities were engaged through organized games, shedding light on the significance of keeping oceans clean and the positive impact of repurposing ghost nets.
With an ambitious vision, the NBA aims to expand the 'Nets For Change' initiative not only across India but also globally. The goal is to see more ghost nets finding a new life on basketball courts worldwide, turning a tale of environmental crisis into a story of community-driven change.
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