The Krishna riverbed downstream of Prakasam Barrage witnesses a rare buzz of morning walkers thanks to the river crusaders whose hard work and dedication in the last many years is finally paying off.
A narrow muddy path opposite Manipal Hospitals in Tadepalli municipality limits, leads downwards, giving no clue about what the place would be like. But the stretch of a river margin here is fresh, clean and green. Few would believe the area once had a thick carpet of garbage comprising mounds of plastic bags and other material.
Starting solo, Ajay Katragadda, a doctor, started cleaning up the mess around six years ago. His dedication soon attracted others, many of them doctors, who joined in to clear the plastic waste that posed a serious threat to the Krishna, the lifeline of this region.
The river crusaders call themselves AWARA (Amaravati Walkers and Runners Association). After their daily walk and jog on the river bed, they collect the litter in gunny bags that are emptied into four concrete bins provided by the Tadepalli municipal authorities after much persuasion.
Over the years, people from diverse walks of life have joined AWARA.