“Keeping our country clean is our responsibility. We should all take ownership of our surroundings,” says Sundaram Tiwari, a 30-year-old environmentalist from Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh. By taking responsibility for his surroundings, he serves as an inspiration to young people with the potential to make a positive impact on society through environmental care.
His journey into environmental activism began not in a classroom, or a conference hall, but on the fields where he grew up. As a child, he spent long summer afternoons in his uncle’s mango orchards, where over 27 species of mangoes grew. The trees provided shade, and the air was cool.
“But as I grew older, I saw those fields vanish. All the species of mangoes, too, became just memories. I realised that if this is the condition in our village, it must be worse in cities. I knew I had to do something,” he tells The Better India.
During his B Pharmacy days, he supported underprivileged children by raising money for their school fees. However, as he witnessed the increasing destruction of nature, he was deeply affected, feeling an undeniable urge to shift his focus towards environmental causes.
The bicycle diaries
In April 2022, the young environmentalist embarked on what would become one of the most ambitious journeys of his life. He began a bicycle yatra, with the aim of spreading awareness about environmental conservation.
Over the next one and a half years, he cycled across the country, stopping in villages and towns across Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Telangana.
“When I started the journey, I didn’t have a grand plan. My main goal was to reach as many people as possible, to plant the seeds of awareness,” he explains. He would typically conduct three to four events in a day, meeting activists, engaging local communities, and most importantly, spreading the importance of planting trees.
Through his bicycle yatra, Sundaram was able to connect with over 10 lakh people across the country. He used his social media networks to broadcast his itinerary and collaborate with local environmentalists and activists before reaching a city. Together, they organised awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and villages.
The young environmentalist recalls the tremendous support he received from the local communities during his yatra. “I didn’t take a penny from anyone. People would donate money for planting trees, and sometimes, they would offer me food and shelter as I continued my journey. The warmth and generosity of these communities were overwhelming,” he says.
One of the most touching moments of his journey occurred in Lakhimpur. “While giving a speech on the benefits of planting trees, a rickshaw driver approached me and donated Rs 500. It was his son’s birthday, and he wanted me to plant as many saplings as possible with that money. That gesture, which could be a full day’s earnings for him, really moved me,” he smiles.
Sundaram used the money to plant trees in schools and colleges. “While staying at a Government guest house, the manager gave me Rs 1,100 to plant saplings,” he adds.
But despite the overwhelming support, the journey brought its own set of challenges. “In Punjab, I was robbed of my mobile and my purse, and beaten in the process. I was in the hospital for a few days and my plans got derailed,” he shares.
He was also physically exhausted after conducting several events a day. “At times, the pressure was too much, and it felt like I couldn’t go on. But I always remembered that this was not just my mission, but a collective responsibility,” he adds.
Saving the historical Sai River
As his cycle yatra drew to a close and he returned home, his gaze fell upon a dying river, one that had been a part of his childhood. His commitment to river conservation stemmed from the memories and experiences he had near the Sai River, which flows through his hometown of Pratapgarh.
“When I was young, the Sai was always clean, its water flowing through the year. But as I grew older, I started to see it dry up, especially in summer. People began polluting the river by throwing plastic and flowers into it. It was heartbreaking,” he says.
Inspired by his childhood memories and motivated by the realisation that action needs to be taken, the young environmentalist launched the ‘Save Sai River’ movement. “I undertook a 715 km journey on foot along its banks to raise awareness,” he says.
His efforts to restore the river included clean-up drives, signature campaigns, and the symbolic Sai Poojan (worship of the river).
The initiative gained momentum through active community participation. Sundaram and his team of local volunteers began organising awareness programmes in schools and colleges, teaching children about the river’s historical significance and its ecological value.
“The most important thing was changing the mindset of the people. I wanted them to realise that if we don’t protect our rivers, we won’t just lose a water source, but also disrupt our surroundings,” he says.
Soon, local media outlets began covering the issue, amplifying the message.
Sundaram’s persistence paid off when the Indian Parliament took notice of the campaign. Former Minister of Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, said he would take notice of the Sai River and work towards its betterment by taking the State Government on board. The Government has now set up a committee to work towards the restoration of the river.
Building a greener tomorrow
The 30-year-old environmentalist soon launched another initiative — ‘Aao Nadiyon Ko Jaane’ (Come, Get to Know Rivers). “The campaign aims to educate the public, especially the youth, about the rivers that sustain them,” he says. “Through seminars, field visits, and interactive sessions, we highlight the ecological and cultural significance of rivers. People of all ages, particularly school children, are increasingly eager to understand how they can protect our rivers and the environment.”
Sundaram has also been involved in numerous other environmental campaigns. One of the largest is the ‘Sankalp Sava Lakh’ initiative, through which he has managed to plant approximately 1.25 lakh saplings across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and other states.
This campaign focuses on community involvement and follows a unique tracking system to monitor the survival of the planted trees. Sundaram explains, “We created a record sheet to track everyone who planted trees and the number of trees each person planted. I follow up with them frequently, checking on the survival of the trees and observing their progress.”
Another notable initiative is ‘One Tree for Pratapgarh’, which encourages every resident to plant at least one tree. This effort resulted in over two lakh trees being planted in the district, with active participation from local schools.
Through his tireless efforts, the 30-year-old has created a network of activists and environmentalists across India who continue to support his vision of a greener planet.
Fighting adversities and shaping future aspirations
Abhishek Dwivedi, 29 years old, says, “I reached out to Sundaram Ji when I learnt about his efforts to revive the Sai River through social media. Being from Pratapgarh myself, I felt a deep connection and was inspired to contribute. His ‘One Tree for Pratapgarh’ initiative also deeply resonated with me. Working alongside him on these projects, I learnt the true significance of protecting our rivers and environment. Today, I follow in his footsteps, taking responsibility for my surroundings and doing my part to make a difference.”
Although Sundaram has received massive recognition for his efforts, he couldn’t avoid the personal threats from individuals who have disagreed with his work, including anonymous calls urging him to stop his river conservation efforts. “Some people are not happy with the work I’m doing, especially those who are looking to encroach on the land. But I don’t let these threats deter me,” he says.
Family and friends have also voiced their concerns, advising him to pursue a more conventional career. “Many people tell me that I should start a business or join a corporate job. They think I’m educated and capable of doing something more profitable. But for me, the joy of seeing a river restored or a tree planted is worth more than any business venture,” he explains with conviction.
Sundaram promises to stay committed to his mission. His goal is not just to restore the Sai River but to inspire future generations to take ownership of their environment.
“Restoring a river is not something that can be done overnight. It’s a long-term effort, and the entire community must contribute to the cause,” he says.
In the future, he aims to expand his campaigns, especially focusing on river conservation across India. He hopes to involve more educational institutions in his initiatives, using them as platforms to reach young people and create environmental enthusiasts who will carry forward the cause.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; All photos courtesy Sundaram Tiwari
