Vivek, who is studying for a masters degree in environmental policy and management, said he wants to inspire people so they could “start their own groups”…reports Asian Lite News
An Indian environmentalist, who founded the world’s first community-led plogging campaign — an eco-movement where people pick up street litter as they jog — is on a mission to clean up 30 cities in 30 days across the UK.
Over the past year, Vivek Gurav and his team of volunteers picked up 5,000 kg of rubbish, including 3,000 kg of plastic, all while out running in Bristol.
“I have only been plogging in Bristol but I kept getting asked by people in Manchester, Leeds, Derby, to come plogging there,” Vivek, a student of University of Bristol, said in a statement.
“So I decided to do a plogging challenge across 30 UK cities,” said Vivek, who started his plogging tour on December 10, beginning with Cardiff and Swansea cities.
The former app developer began plogging in Pune in 2018 and didn’t want to stop when he left India in September 2021, to take up a University of Bristol scholarship. Since then, the 26 year-old has covered 420 miles on 120 plogging ‘missions’, and has been joined by volunteers from 180 countries. His efforts saw him featured on the BBC One Show and pick up the “Points of Light Award” from then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In October, he was invited to 10 Downing Street by PM Rishi Sunak and in November he spoke at COY17 — the youth version of COP27.
Vivek, who is studying for a masters degree in environmental policy and management, said he wants to inspire people so they could “start their own groups”.
“Ultimately, I want to set-up a UK-wide plogging community like I did back in India. So, if I can go out plogging across the UK, orientate people, give them a blueprint, then they can start their own groups,” Vivek said in a statement released by University of Bristol. He hopes to be joined by fellow ploggers, environmentalists and keen runners as he visits each city via public transport.
Vivek will be plogging in Derby, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester, Liverpool, Leicester, Birmingham and Worcester. Over the past four years, Vivek’s volunteers in India have collected more than 1,000 tonnes (that’s 1 million kg) of litter.
“I am shocked and deeply hurt after seeing the amount of single-use plastic packaging being done in the UK,” Vivek had said after collecting his “Points of Light Award”, which is presented to “inspirational volunteers who make positive changes to the community”.
“I am not a conventional climate activist. Litter picking is a way I sensitise people and my campaign in India and Britain has been an example of what a community can achieve,” he had said.
“The small mesh in the robotic trash boat can take out even the smallest of river waste. The boat can clean any kind of garbage from polythene to hyacinth.”…reports Asian Lite News
The cleaning of the Gomti river and clearing of water hyacinth will now be done by an artificial intelligence (AI) enabled robotic trash boat.
With the introduction of this boat, another new chapter is going to be added to the initiative to make rivers clean.
To take out the micro waste along with the common waste, a boat has been made which will dump two quintals of waste out of the river every hour without pollution.
The boat, developed by the experts of the Centre For Innovation Policy and Social Change (CIPSC), is now undergoing a trial run at the Laxman Mela Ghat on the Gomti.
Director, CIPSC, Karishma Sabharwal, said: “The trials are being conducted after several months of research. It will be given to the municipal corporation as soon as the 30-day trial is completed.
“The small mesh in the robotic trash boat can take out even the smallest of river waste. The boat can clean any kind of garbage from polythene to hyacinth.”
The boat can be controlled by a person sitting on the bank of the river through a remote. The sensor installed in it automatically brings the boat to the shore after two quintals of waste, where anyone can take out the waste.
She said if three to four boats are deployed from Pucca Pul in the old city to Nishatganj bridge, the Gomti in the city will look clean.
The self-propelled robotic boat made with advanced technology is a zero-carbon immersion boat fully powered by solar panels.
The boat has a front facing camera which automatically detects the plastic, hyacinth and other waste lying in the water and collects it.
The waste is collected in the rear storage through the conveyor belt in the boat.
At present, the storage capacity is 200 kg.
Divisional Vommissioner Roshan Jacob has directed to improve the load bearing capacity of boat up to 1,000 kg.
Dip your gold jewellery in the solution. Allow for 15-20 minutes of soak time. After that, rinse it with cold water and lay it flat on a nice, dry cloth or towel. Let it dry completely in the open air…writes N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe
There are many reasons why gold trinkets, both new and old, lose their lustre over time. The most common cause of your gold jewellery losing its natural brilliance is known to be regular use. The longer you wear them, the less gloss and glitter they have. That’s not all, though. Many variables impair gold’s natural brilliance, from grime to cosmetics and common chemicals. Perfumes and moisturisers that you use on your skin might also harm your gold.
You don’t have to go to the jeweller every time your gold necklaces or earrings start to lose their lustre. We are here to suggest some simple and effective tips to clean your gold ornaments at home.
* Cleaning your gold jewels with a toothbrush is one of the simplest and most effective ways to do it.
* Don’t be pessimistic! You can clean your plain gold necklaces, bracelets, earrings, bangles, and other decorations with a simple soap and water solution. Cleaning your basic gold jewellery with soap water removes dirt and oils accumulated over time. This is one of the quickest and easiest ways to restore the lustre of your gold jewellery.
* So, how can you clean your plain gold ornaments using soap and water? Let us see.
* Begin with filling a basin halfway with warm water. Mix with the mild soap to make a solution. To make the solution, mix mild detergents or a few drops of dishwashing solutions in water.
* Dip your gold jewellery in the solution. Allow for 15-20 minutes of soak time. After that, rinse it with cold water and lay it flat on a nice, dry cloth or towel. Let it dry completely in the open air.
* Use a soft-bristled brush to remove dirt from the nooks and crannies. But don’t rub the jewellery too hard. Remember to keep it safe and secure, preferably in a jewellery box. This soap-water-brush procedure can be used to clean yellow, white, and rose gold jewellery.
* The water should neither be boiling nor be cold. You can also use sodium-free seltzer water or club soda instead of tap water.
* The filth that has gathered in your jewellery will be loosened by these carbonated liquids. You can get a professional jewellery cleaning solution for your home too.
“Cleaning your gold jewellery with gemstones, however, you should not follow this procedure to clean gemstone-studded jewellery. Owning and wearing gold jewellery with jewels is a wonderful thrill. Any gemstone, from costly stones like diamonds and rubies to semi-precious stones like topazes and tourmalines, enhances the beauty of gold. Never immerse gemstone-studded jewellery in water, even if you use a soap water solution,” says Dishi Somani, Director, Dishis Designer Jewellery, “Soaking it can cause water to accumulate in the setting, causing it to corrode or discolour over time. Instead, rinse it and clean it using a soft toothbrush, such as a baby toothbrush. Check your ornament before washing to ensure it doesn’t contain any loose stones. Let it dry completely before storing it. Check the water isn’t too hot, especially if your jewellery includes delicate gemstones like opals.”
The AMC estimated that the project would have cost Rs 13 crore if it had been done through contracts given to private stakeholders but instead cost the city only 1 crore, thanks to the involvement of the residents…reports Abhilasha Agrawal
Residents of Aurangabad in Maharashtra got enthusiastically involved over many Saturdays early this year to clean up the Kham river as part of the drive to restore its ecological health, sustainability and aesthetic value. The restoration campaign — ‘Our River, Kham River’ — started in January under the supervision of Astik Kumar Pandey, Municipal Commissioner of Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), and featured a range of beautification activities.
Santosh Ambe, a local who lives near the river, praised the project, “I am truly thankful to the municipal commissioner for taking steps towards restoring the river. No kind of encroachments have been done in this campaign, neither were nearby residents asked to relocate. Hence, we are happily supporting the initiative and creating awareness for the future too.”
Originating in the Jatwada Hills on the outskirts of Aurangabad, the Kham flows through the city before merging with the Godavari at Yeshgavhan. It has been part of residents’ lives since the Mughal era. First known as Khadki, Aurangabad was made a capital city by Malik Amber, the prime minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II, Sultan of Ahmadnagar. He used the river’s valley and various nullahs to meet the city’s water requirements and constructed freshwater aquaducts called Nahar-e-Ambari — a type of hydraulic water carriage system — which ensured the Kham’s perennial flow.
Citizens on the job every Saturday
Over the years the river has degraded through a toxic brew of domestic waste, animal carcasses, industrial pollution, population growth, rampant encroachment, and increasing urbanisation. Water shortages galvanised Commissioner Pandey to engage residents, social groups and NGOs in reviving the river by educating them about its historic significance to their city. Between 200 and 250 showed up every Saturday from 8 am to 11 am to pick up dry waste (150 tonnes, according to the AMC’s sanitation department) and plant trees, while earthmovers, JCBs and tippers did the heavy lifting. The public lent gaiety to the proceedings by singing songs about religious devotion and environmental awareness. Some even shook a leg.
The AMC estimated that the project would have cost Rs 13 crore if it had been done through contracts given to private stakeholders but instead cost the city only 1 crore, thanks to the involvement of the residents.
Nandkishor Bhombe, head of solid waste management at AMC, noted the project’s environmental importance, “I am happy the people of Aurangabad have shown such dedication towards the river and I insist they continue to show the same concern in the time to come. The demands of future generations will get fulfilled only if we take good care of our natural resources.”
Ramesh Gaikwad, a sanitation worker, was amazed with all the support and engagement from the public. “The city has always been divided by religious differences. But over the last decade, people have started to show a sense of love towards their city. This has been possible due to education, awareness and empowerment of women. I have seen all these factors contributing to the rejuvenation of Kham river recently. Creating an amphitheatre out of tyres and painting the story of Kham are some unique ideas by the women and youth which were given the green flag by the corporation.”
Planting Miyawaki forests
The project also involved planting diverse saplings along the river’s banks using the Miyawaki method (two to four saplings per square metre) to bolster biodiversity. As many as 10,000 bamboo trees — known for increasing afforestation and playing a role in combating climate change — have been planted along the Kham. “This type of plantation has helped us plant all varieties at closer distances. As the Miyawaki forest sustains itself, it will need fewer efforts in the future,” Bhombe said.
Aditya Tiwari, an ecologist working in Aurangabad, underscored the Miyawaki method’s relevance. “The Japanese method of tree plantation has become the centre of attention in the Cantonment Board area. We are focusing on the ecological transformation of the river via urban plantation.” Seedlings are planted at very high densities in a packed space. “Mostly straight varieties of trees can be grown in a smaller area. We have focused on planting bamboo, nilgiri or eucalyptus and banana trees instead of neem and banyan that utilise a large area,” Tiwari added.
During the clean-up, the team came across a rich ecosystem of snakes, freshwater turtles, crabs, fish, butterflies as well as 85 species of indigenous plants, including medicinal herbs used by Mughal hakims.
Looking ahead into the past
In addition to encountering plenty of animal species and indigenous flora, the clean-up team stumbled upon those hidden underground nahars built by Malik Amber.
There were 12 nahars in Aurangabad and they supply drinkable water to different parts of the city, according to the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and, amazingly, they still carry freshwater. For centuries, citizens of the city had been using the ‘manholes’ or strong and high rectangular tanks to access and clean the nahars.
To preserve and use this precious resource, nearly 16 farm ponds (shetal in Marathi) have been created and submersible water pumps have been installed to lift the underground water. All broken water pipelines along the nahar (which were laid to help the water along in places where gravity couldn’t do the trick) have been replaced with new clay ones.
Five months after the clean-up drive, a water index survey by Ecosattva showed that the river’s biochemical oxygen demand has come down to 40-45 per litre from a high of 50, which means that the Kham is now ready for irrigation. Smriti Salve, who lives along the river, said the proper deepening and widening of the river has prevented flooding in their homes despite the heavy rainfall this year.
So, the river’s future now looks promising. Hanif Ansari, who participated in the project, expressed how he felt about it. “Being a sanitation worker, I have been associated with river cleaning for a decade. But never before have I felt so connected with the environment. I have given my time and effort to this work, so it is my duty to take good care of the natural resource now. I even brought my children to learn on the site. They are the future.”
