Bio:

Afroz Shah is an India-based environmentalist and lawyer who is leading the environmental movement in the city and tackling plastic pollution and other harmful concerns one step at a time. Shah started the biggest beach cleanup project in Mumbai, Maharashtra, all by himself in 2015.

Heartbroken after seeing the Versova beach near his house filled with garbage and all kinds of trash, Shah decided to take matters into his own hands – literally. He along with a senior neighbour started picking up garbage from the beach everyday.

His efforts received tremendous attention and worldwide support, along with an increase in volunteers by thousands comprising of youth, slum-dwellers, entrepreneurs, Bollywood celebrities, professionals, and seniors.

A shocking amount of 15 million kilograms of decomposing trash and plastic was collected from the 2.5 kilometre stretch of beach over a period of 21 months. United Nations labelled the campaign the “world’s largest beach clean-up project.” United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) honoured Shah with the Champion of the Earth award for his work in organizing community-led clean-up efforts.

Shah and his dedicated volunteers are also cleaning the mangroves and simultaneously working on other environmental concepts that aim at tackling plastic pollution and safeguarding the environment. He is also working with commercial establishments and teaching restaurants owners to be more plastic-free. The social activist is also mentoring around 60,000 kids and getting them involved with his projects.

Shah was also CNN-IBN’s Indian of the Year in Public Service in 2017 and has received various accolades for his efforts. The inspiring environmentalist’s good work is creating a ripple effect. Beside Mumbai, cleanup campaigns are taking place in various parts of India as well. He vows to continue his beach clean-up crusade until people and their governments around the world change their approach to producing, using and discarding plastic and other products that wash up onto beaches all over the world.