India, Aug. 23 -- The Mahim beach on Friday resembled a dumping ground, with garbage brought in by the sea strewn across its expanse and piled up in layers at multiple spots, especially near the Reti bunder, where the Mithi river joins the Arabian Sea.

"The same story is repeated every year," said Malhar Kaalambe, a member of the nonprofit Beach Please, which has been undertaking cleanliness drives at the beach since 2018. Beach Please is among several organisations including the Dargah Street ALM (advanced locality management) that have been cleaning the Mahim beach after the monsoon for years.

Most people mistake the Mithi for a drain and dump garbage into the river, which makes its way to the sea during the monsoon, Kaalambe said. Du...