“A shared purpose sparked a mission for change”
Arun Kumar Vaddi, a film maker and an environmentalist, and Manish Naik, an engineer and an innovator, first connected through ESRAG – the Environment & Sustainability Rotary Action Group. United by their passion for protecting biodiversity, they began exploring solutions together.
Their first collaboration focused on Pollinator Pods – sustainable, low-cost habitats to support the fast-declining pollinator populations. As work progressed, Arun posed another question: “Could we design artificial marine reefs shaped like a Rotary wheel?”
The idea was bold. Coral reefs, vital to marine ecosystems, are dying due to global warming and destructive bottom trawling. A reef-wheel design could serve as habitat and a Rotary symbol. But despite promising designs, the concept faced two challenges: it was expensive to build and carried a high carbon footprint when made with concrete. The project was set aside—but the vision to restore marine ecosystems stayed alive.
A year later, during the Ganesh Visarjan immersions, Manish witnessed another environmental crisis: millions of idols immersed in rivers and lakes every year, burdening water bodies and local governments. The sight of broken idols washing ashore sparked a breakthrough: “What if immersion idols themselves became marine reefs—crafted from durable, non-polluting materials?”
This idea elegantly solved multiple problems at once:
- Reducing water pollution and clogged rivers.
- Offering a sustainable pathway for cultural traditions.
- Providing cost-effective, habitable reef systems for marine life.
When Manish shared the vision with Arun, both saw its potential immediately. With Arun’s environmental expertise and Manish’s innovation in materials and design, they had the complementary skills to make it real.
And so, Divine Reefs was born—a social and environmental impact organisation dedicated to transforming cultural traditions into opportunities for ocean restoration, livelihood creation, and biodiversity protection.