Eight Months of River Cleanup.. Now Bittu Tabahi Is Losing Hope

Twenty-year-old Surendra Singh Choudhary, popularly known as Bittu Tabahi, is considering stepping back from his mission to clean the Ajnar River in Madhya Pradesh’s Rajgarh district. Over eight months, he removed tonnes of garbage from the river, often working alone without specialised equipment. Despite receiving widespread appreciation for his efforts, Bittu was disheartened to find the river polluted again, particularly after the Dussehra celebrations.

In an effort to encourage responsible waste disposal, Bittu placed two dustbins near the river, but one was reportedly stolen. Frustrated by people repeatedly dumping waste despite his continued efforts, he now wants to focus on his studies. His experience highlights a larger concern: keeping rivers clean cannot be left to one individual. Public cooperation and effective waste management are essential to prevent pollution and protect water bodies.