India, Sept. 6 -- Wading into a polluted river with little more than determination, 21-year-old BSc student Surendra Singh Chaudhary has been trying to reclaim the Ajnar River in Biaora from years of accumulated garbage and debris. His initiative, started on January 26, has now received support from the local municipality, which has deployed heavy machinery for the clean-up.

Known on social media as 'Bittu Tabahi', Chaudhary initially undertook the work largely on his own, removing plastic, polythene and other waste from the river. He regularly shared photographs documenting the condition of the river and the progress of his campaign, drawing attention to the pollution of the water body.

The clean-up has involved considerable health and...