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River Warrior Cleans Ramganga: 1.2 Lakh Kg Waste Gone!
14 Nov
Summary
- Over 5,000 volunteers participated in 218 clean-up drives.
- More than 1.2 lakh kg of waste removed from Ramganga river.
- Community campaign focuses on changing habits, not just collecting trash.
In Moradabad, India, Kapil Kumar's 'Clean Up Ram Ganga Campaign' has become a powerful force for environmental change since its inception in 2016. Initially noticing rampant pollution, Kumar, a mechanical engineer, launched a sustained community effort that has since completed over 218 clean-up drives.
These drives have collectively removed more than 1.2 lakh kg of waste from the Ramganga riverbanks. The campaign involves more than 5,000 volunteers who not only collect garbage but also engage with visitors to promote responsible waste disposal and foster local ownership of the river environment.
The initiative, formally launched on Earth Day in 2018, evolved from monthly engagements to weekly Sunday clean-ups following disruptions. It also includes initiatives like SEHYOG, which recycles household waste to fund the organization's operations.
While acknowledging that waste collection is only part of the solution, Kumar emphasizes that the campaign's greatest success lies in the observed change in people's behavior and their increased sense of responsibility towards the Ramganga.
