A 21-year-old BSc student in Madhya Pradesh has taken up an unusual environmental mission, cleaning the polluted Ajnar River in Biaora. Surendra Singh Chaudhary, popularly known as “Bittu Tabahi” on social media, has been removing waste and debris from the river largely on his own. His efforts have continued despite the physical risks involved, including encounters with snakes and infections in his limbs. The campaign has attracted attention online through photographs documenting the river’s condition.

Chaudhary began his cleanup campaign on January 26 and has focused on areas where waste has accumulated near a local temple. His work has now received support from the Biaora municipal authorities, who have provided machinery to assist with removing larger quantities of waste. Municipal sub-engineer Rupesh Kumar Netam said the young volunteer had made a strong start and that local residents had also joined the cleanup effort.

The municipality deployed a Poclain excavator to remove old waste, polythene and other debris from the river. Officials said the municipality also conducts cleaning drives along the river and drains before the monsoon every year. During the rainy season, increased water flow can help remove some of the remaining debris. Netam also confirmed that the before-and-after photographs shared by Chaudhary on social media accurately reflected the condition of the river during different stages of the cleanup.

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However, officials said removing visible waste alone cannot solve the larger pollution problem facing the river. Five major drains are reportedly discharging untreated wastewater into the Biaora River, creating a continuing source of contamination. Municipal authorities have therefore prepared a proposal for a sewage treatment plant estimated to cost around ₹14.77 crore. The proposed facility is intended to treat wastewater before it enters the river and address pollution closer to its source.

Chaudhary’s campaign has drawn attention to the challenges faced by individuals attempting to restore polluted water bodies without professional equipment or substantial resources. His work has also encouraged local residents to participate in the cleanup, while municipal machinery has helped expand the effort beyond what could be achieved manually. The initiative demonstrates how individual action can bring greater public attention to environmental problems that require long-term institutional solutions.

The condition of the Ajnar River also highlights the importance of preventing waste and untreated sewage from entering water bodies in the first place. While manual cleaning and municipal operations can remove accumulated debris, sustained improvement will depend on controlling wastewater discharge and maintaining effective drainage and treatment systems. The proposed sewage treatment plant could therefore play a significant role if implemented, while the efforts of Chaudhary and local residents have already helped put the river’s pollution problem in the spotlight.

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