Bittu Tabahi spent eight months cleaning the Ajnar River in Rajgarh, Madhya Pradesh. But just weeks after his efforts, garbage has returned, leaving the young environmental activist disheartened. Despite the setback, he has started cleaning the river again.
Eight Months of Dedicated Effort
Surendra Singh Choudhary, popularly known as Bittu Tabahi, gained attention for cleaning the polluted Ajnar River largely on his own. Over eight months, he removed tonnes of waste, working without specialised equipment to restore the river and its surroundings.
Garbage Returns to the River
However, Bittu recently returned to find the river polluted again. Plastic bags, discarded clothes, flower waste and other rubbish had accumulated along the banks and floated in the water. The condition of the river was a stark contrast to the cleaner stretch he had worked so hard to restore.
Bittu Expresses Disappointment
Sharing an update on social media, Bittu expressed his heartbreak over seeing months of hard work seemingly go to waste. His video has sparked discussions about public behaviour, waste disposal and the lack of responsibility shown by people who continue to dump garbage into water bodies.
He Refuses to Give Up
Despite the disappointment, Bittu has resumed cleaning the river. He has appealed to local residents to stop dumping waste and urged people to support efforts to keep the river clean. He has also sought suggestions for better ways to remove the accumulated garbage.
A Question of Collective Responsibility
Bittu’s efforts highlight a larger problem: cleaning a river is not enough if people continue to pollute it. Sustainable change requires responsible waste disposal, public participation and regular efforts to prevent garbage from entering waterways.
One person spent eight months cleaning the river. Keeping it clean, however, is a responsibility we all share.