Bittu Tabahi’s Ajnar River Clean-up Faces Setback as Waste Returns

Surendra Singh Choudhary, popularly known as “Bittu Tabahi,” spent eight months removing tonnes of garbage from the Ajnar River in Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh. Weeks after the riverbanks were cleared, plastic bags, flower-petal remnants, and oil containers reappeared along the waterway. In an Instagram video, Choudhary showed the renewed litter and noted that one of two dustbins he had installed near a tree to encourage proper disposal had been stolen.

Bittu Tabahi places 2 dustbins to curb Ajnar River pollution, one gets stolen the next day: Video Bittu Tabahi shares ‘heartbreaking’ update as Ajnar River in Madhya Pradesh turns polluted again despite 8 months of cleanup; "Eight months of hard work wasted" ThePrintBittu Tabahi shares a heartbreaking update as Ajnar River chokes on garbage again after months of cleaning: “Eight months of my hard work would go to waste like this” Bittu Tabahi spent 8 months cleaning Ajnar river, it's filthy again weeks later

Choudhary undertook the original clean-up largely on his own, using only bare hands and plastic gloves and without government or NGO assistance. His effort earned viral attention, a public shout-out from industrialist Anand Mahindra, and a job offer from Dutch environmental organisation The Ocean Cleanup. Following the initial success, he launched a three-day clean-up campaign in Delhi on September 20, collecting roughly 585 kg of waste with a team of volunteers.

ThePrint

• Dustbins installed: 2; stolen: 1 (as shown in the recent video).

Bittu Tabahi places 2 dustbins to curb Ajnar River pollution, one gets stolen the next day: Video

• Waste removed in Delhi (Sept 20): ~585 kg.

ThePrint

• Gurugram drive: 2,435 kg removed, according to Choudhary.

ThePrint

• Mumbai beach clean-up: 256 kg removed.

ThePrint

• Initial Ajnar River effort: “tonnes of garbage” removed over eight months (exact figure not disclosed).

Bittu Tabahi spent 8 months cleaning Ajnar river, it's filthy again weeks later

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav publicly felicitated Choudhary, praising his determination and the impact of his #CleanWithBittu mission. The chief minister’s post on X highlighted the activist’s role in raising awareness about river pollution.

ThePrint

He also reiterated his commitment by re-entering the water despite not being a strong swimmer.

Bittu Tabahi shares a heartbreaking update as Ajnar River chokes on garbage again after months of cleaning: “Eight months of my hard work would go to waste like this”

• “I never imagined that eight months of my hard work would go to waste like this,” — Surendra Singh Choudhary

Bittu Tabahi shares ‘heartbreaking’ update as Ajnar River in Madhya Pradesh turns polluted again despite 8 months of cleanup; "Eight months of hard work wasted"

The Instagram footage captured floating plastic bags, flower-petal remnants from religious rituals, and oil-container debris littering the river’s surface. In the same video, Choudhary is seen stepping into the water, pulling out bags of waste one by one, and urging viewers to suggest more efficient removal methods. Comments from online users ranged from encouragement to practical advice, including recommendations to wear protective gear and to press municipal authorities for fines against illegal dumping.

India TV

Choudhary has asked his social-media followers for ideas to improve waste-removal efficiency and to engage municipal bodies in enforcing anti-dumping measures. No formal schedule for additional clean-up drives or policy interventions has been announced.

Bittu Tabahi shares ‘heartbreaking’ update as Ajnar River in Madhya Pradesh turns polluted again despite 8 months of cleanup; "Eight months of hard work wasted"