Eco Baba who cleaned a 160 km river | Fusion - WeRIndia

Have you heard of Balbir Singh Seechewal? He is one of the most renowned environmentalists from Punjab. However, he is famously known as Eco Baba. He made it his life mission to clean up the Kali Bein River which was heavily polluted.

It all started back in 2000 when Balbir Singh decided that it is high time action be taken against the domestic and industrial waste that is being dumped in the Kali Bein River. Such waste dumping has been destroying the 160 km long tributary of Beas. The river, which is located in the Doaba region of Punjab is considered sacred by many people in the state.

Balbir Singh saw that the river has become nothing but a drain because of the huge amounts of waste being dumped into it. It cause a lot of water problems in the nearby farms.

He started his cleanup work by gathering some volunteers. They began by teaching local people the importance of cleaning the river, enlisting more volunteers, and raising funds with the help of contributions by the residents of more than 24 villages to purchase equipment required for cleaning.

Together, they cleared the hyacinth and silt from the entire river bed. They taught people about the importance of the river being clean. This encouraged more volunteers and also gave them funds. They managed to buy equipment needed. They began by teaching local people the importance of cleaning the river, enlisting more volunteers, and raising funds with the help of contributions by the residents of more than 24 villages to purchase equipment required for cleaning.

They cleared the hyacinth and silt from the entire river bed. Singh’s team also beautified the banks of the river. The team also started doing public campaigns urging people to dump their waste somewhere else. He also developed an underground sewerage system model.

Other than environment conservation, the eco baba has also established schools and colleges at different places.

Image Reference: TheBetterIndia