Madhya Pradesh’s Bittu Tabahi cleans Ajnar River, gets job offer from The Ocean Cleanup

Madhya Pradesh resident Bittu Tabahi took it upon himself to tackle the severe pollution choking the Ajnar River, a tributary that has long suffered from industrial discharge and solid waste. Over several days, he manually removed debris, plastic bags, and other contaminants, working alone without official assistance.

Local residents observed Tabahi’s effort and praised his determination, noting that the river’s water clarity improved noticeably after his work. Environmental groups highlighted the episode as a rare example of individual action prompting immediate, visible change in a waterway.

Impressed by his initiative, the international nonprofit The Ocean Cleanup, which focuses on removing plastic from oceans and rivers worldwide, extended a job offer to Tabahi. The organization plans to involve him in upcoming river‑cleaning projects across India, leveraging his on‑ground experience to scale up its efforts.