The Clean Up Ram Ganga Campaign originally launched on Earth Day in 2018 before shifting to regular Sunday sessions at Lalbagh Ghat in June 2021. More than 5,000 participants have joined the efforts, regularly gathering between 300 and 700 kg of non-biodegradable trash during single weekly events. To ensure collected items are managed sustainably, organic waste like flowers is diverted to composting pits, while remaining refuse is passed to the municipal corporation. The initiative also funds its ongoing operational work through SEHYOG, a dedicated household recycling project.
Key points
The grassroots campaign relies on a network of over 3,000 registered volunteers and six f…: The grassroots campaign relies on a network of over 3,000 registered volunteers and six full-time staff members.
Volunteers work alongside the local municipal corporation, which handles the final dispos…: Volunteers work alongside the local municipal corporation, which handles the final disposal of collected river debris.
In addition to physical cleaning, team members hold regular awareness sessions to teach v…: In addition to physical cleaning, team members hold regular awareness sessions to teach visitors responsible disposal methods.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
In 2016, when Kapil Kumar sat by the Ramganga river in
Moradabad, he noticed plastic bags, flowers, clothes and household waste being thrown into the water. He began speaking to visitors about the pollution, but soon realised that conversations alone would not be enough. The riverbank needed regular cleaning, and people needed a reason to change their habits.
Nearly a decade later, the mechanical engineer's efforts have grown into a sustained community campaign. His organisation, Parivartan 'The Change,' reports that its Clean Up Ram Ganga Campaign has completed more than 218 clean-up drives, removed over 1.2 lakh kg of waste and involved more than 5,000 people over the years.
In a conversation with The Better India Kumar said that the campaign's work is not limited to collecting garbage. Volunteers also speak to visitors, encourage responsible disposal of religious offerings and try to make local residents feel responsible for the riverbank.
How a teacher's question changed his approach
Kapil, 35, completed his BTech in mechanical engineering in 2013 and worked in the automobile sector for a year. He later pursued a…
Major live events across Australia are overhauling their environmental operations to tackle significant carbon emissions and excessive campsite trash. Event directors are introducing renewable infrastructure and transit initiatives, while urging attendees to take responsibility for reducing abandoned equipment. These systemic adjustments demonstrate how the live entertainment sector is striving to limit landfill contributions and mitigate local community disruption.
Major weather disturbances are set to disrupt multiple regions across the country heading into the weekend. Winter Storm Warnings have taken effect as intense mountain conditions threaten transit routes in the West. Meanwhile, southern communities face an influx of stormy systems capable of producing significant precipitation.
Environmental shifts occurring across Sri Lanka are directly contributing to a shrinking elephant population within a local park. This species decline underscores that natural adaptation mechanisms cannot fully protect these animal groups from persistent habitat stressors. Conservationists face growing concerns as the animals reach their capacity to endure ongoing habitat transformations.