Mumbai: Carl XVI Gustaf King of Sweden and his wife Queen Silvia on Wednesday engaged in removing plastic and other garbage along with young lawyer and Mumbai-based climate activist Afroz Shah. On the occasion of this clean-up with the royal couple on a 5- day state visit official visit to India, Mr. Shah, who is best known for organising in the world’s longest beach clean-up project spanning 216 weeks, also gave a short presentation to the Swedish King and Queen on the Versova beach clean-up project. The Royal Couple also interacted with volunteers of the Versova Beach clean-up project.
Week 216.
The Royals from Sweden – King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia – clean the beach with us.
Historic moment for mumbai.
Commoners , Royals , young leaders , Our @mybmc @MumbaiPolice working hard to #BeatPlasticPollution and to protect whales , turtles , dolphins etc . pic.twitter.com/Y669OoB4Z4
— Afroz shah (@AfrozShah1) December 4, 2019
Their Majesties visited Versova Beach & participated, under the guidance of @AfrozShah1 in a beach clean-up activity. Their Majesties also got the opportunity to interact with some volunteers working with the clean-up activity. #swedenindiasambandh #swedeninindia #swedeninmumbai pic.twitter.com/ksmwbi5iLB
— Sweden in Mumbai (@SwedeninMumbai) December 4, 2019
Also Read: After Versova Beach Cleanup, Afroz Shah Eyes Mithi River In Mumbai To Make It Waste-Free
Prior to the Mumbai leg of the engagements, On Tuesday, the Swedish King chaired a dialogue on circular economy approaches in India alongside senior Swedish and Indian government officials in New Delhi and discussed current initiatives underway for tackling the issues of air pollution and waste in India.
He also spoke about the importance of improving the quality of forests and acknowledged that the round-table made him feel positive that many different stakeholders are committed to working on conservation and climate change, the Swedish embassy in India said in a statement.
After Mumbai trip where the royal couple also met Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari, they travelled to Uttarakhand where they will inaugurate the Sarai Sewage Treatment Plant in Haridwar on Thursday. Concluding their visit, the couple will emplane for New Delhi on Friday and thereafter will leave for Stockholm.
