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River cleanup activist's waste collection efforts stolen, leaving him disheartened

Bittu Tabahi, who gained social media attention for cleaning up the Ajnaar River, has expressed disappointment after waste collection materials he had gathered were stolen. The incident has dampened his ongoing environmental efforts in the region.

LSN India · 17 October 2026

River cleanup activist's waste collection efforts stolen, leaving him disheartened

Bittu Tabahi, an environmental activist known for his river cleanup initiatives along the Ajnaar River, has shared his frustration over a recent setback that has undermined his conservation work. The social media personality, who has built a following for documenting his efforts to remove debris and waste from the waterway, revealed through a video post that materials and waste he had carefully collected were stolen.

Tabahi explained that he had strategically gathered and stored the collected waste to prevent it from being discarded back into the river or scattered in the surrounding area. His efforts represented part of a broader initiative to raise awareness about river pollution and environmental degradation in the region.

The theft of the collected materials marks a significant disappointment for the activist, who has been working to mobilize community participation in river conservation. The incident highlights challenges faced by individual environmental workers in sustaining cleanup operations, particularly when resources and collected materials lack adequate security or institutional support.

Despite the setback, Tabahi's work has contributed to growing consciousness about the Ajnaar River's environmental condition. His video documenting the theft has resonated with followers, prompting discussions about the need for better coordination and support systems for grassroots environmental initiatives across South Asia.