Nashik Ploggers: Youth-Led River Cleanup Initiative Removes 600 kg of Plastic from Godavari

In a recent waste collection drive, the Nashik Ploggers, a group of young volunteers dedicated to keeping Nashik clean, collected 600 kg of plastic from the Godavari River. The drive saw the participation of 101 volunteers, with support from Ramtirth Seva Samiti. The collected waste material, predominantly cloth, was retrieved from the riverbed.

The Nashik Ploggers, founded by MBA professional Tejas Talware, are dedicated to keeping Nashik clean. Talware started the group on his own in 2019, and later in the year 2020 volunteers started joining him. Today, around 10,000 citizens are part of Nashik Ploggers and conducted 320 drives in the city so far. These volunteers are mostly students or young working professionals who dedicate every weekend to cleaning different spots in the city. The group conducts various nature conservation activities, including tree plantation drives, garbage collection drives, plastic collection drives, and cleanliness drives. Around 8 to 10 drives are conducted every month. The collected plastic and waste are then disposed of with the help of NMC.

Since its inception, the group has undertaken 350 different activities focused on nature conservation. Reflecting on the initiative, Tejas Talware shared, "Back in 2019, while out jogging, I witnessed tourists lamenting the waste and garbage strewn across the streets. This incident spurred me to take proactive measures to address the situation. With a few like-minded friends, we began organizing cleaning drives across the city, attracting numerous supporters along the way."

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Tejas Talware serves as the Founder and President of the Nashik Ploggers, with Pranav Bagul as Vice President and Bhagyesh Lunawat as Secretary. The group actively collaborates with various organizations and committees to advance their cause. Addressing the issue of public littering, Talware elaborated, "The term 'ploggers' derives from 'plogging,' a fusion of jogging and waste collection. Through this approach, we promote both environmental cleanliness and personal well-being. During our activities, we engage with youth, urging them to refrain from littering streets or public spaces."

The Nashik Ploggers continue to exert a significant influence on the cleanliness and environmental sustainability of their city, inspiring many to join their commendable efforts.