When Vikas Motiram Koli was growing up in the bylanes of Versova Koliwada, his father would wade into the waters of the Versova creek or khadi with a fishing net in tow, every evening. A few steps in, and he would trap a crab or a few prawns, guaranteeing a fresh catch for dinner. Walking past mounds of trash at Versova jetty, and the dark muddy water lapping against rows of fishing boats, we struggle to imagine Vikas’ childhood memories. “That was 30 to 35 years ago. Now, I don’t even want to dip my feet in the water. You can’t find much fish close to the shore anymore, thanks to pollution,” the social entrepreneur rues.

Fishermen at work by the creek. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi