🌊 Restoring Nature, One Clean-Up at a Time: Akhil D Mahesh’s Community Action at Thonnippara Waterfalls

By Akhil D Mahesh | Active Citizenship Lab – Edition 8 | Theme: Environment & Civic Responsibility

In the heart of Kerala’s Kollam district lies Thonnippara Waterfalls — a hidden gem in the Paravur region, known for its serene monsoon beauty and rich green surroundings. But like many natural spots across the state, Thonnippara too has been facing the ugly reality of human negligence — plastic waste, discarded diapers, bottles, and beverage cans scattered carelessly across its landscape.

Recognizing this growing concern, Akhil D Mahesh, a participant of the 8th Edition of The Ignite Foundation’s Active Citizenship Lab, mobilized a group of 10 passionate volunteers for a community-led cleanliness drive at the waterfalls. The mission was simple yet powerful — to preserve the natural beauty of the site and raise awareness on responsible tourism.

🚮 The Problem

Thonnippara Waterfalls is a seasonal attraction, flowing only during the monsoon months. While this makes it a stunning short-term getaway for visitors, it also means clean-up and maintenance efforts are often neglected. Over time, the area has turned into a dumping ground for plastic bottles, clothes, beverage cans, diapers, and other non-biodegradable waste — harming not only the landscape but also the local ecosystem and tourism potential.

🧤 The Action

With the spirit of active citizenship, Akhil and his team got to work:

• ✅ Collected 7–8 large bags of waste from the site, including a variety of plastic and hazardous waste items.
• ♻️ Carefully segregated waste into recyclables, non-recyclables, and hazardous categories for proper disposal.
• 🙌 Engaged the community in conversations around the importance of responsible waste disposal.

Despite their dedicated efforts, the team discovered that a significant amount of waste remains, highlighting the urgency of sustained and regular interventions.

✨ Outcomes and What’s Next

🧼 Immediate results included visibly cleaner patches around the waterfall — a small yet powerful step toward restoring its natural beauty.
📢 Future plans include follow-up clean-up drives, especially in collaboration with local communities.
📋 A guideline board will be installed to educate tourists on proper plastic waste disposal.
🏛️ Local panchayats and authorities will be approached to enforce better waste management practices.

💬 Why It Matters

This project is more than just a clean-up activity — it’s a reminder that change begins at the grassroots. Akhil’s initiative is a call for sustainable tourism, responsible civic behavior, and environmental justice. It aligns with SDGs 12 (Responsible Consumption), 13 (Climate Action), and 15 (Life on Land), proving that youth-led action can create ripples of positive change.

“We may not solve everything in one day, but each act of care brings us closer to healing our environment.”
— Akhil D Mahesh

📍 Kollam, Kerala
📧 akhildmahesh77@gmail.com

🟢 This project was implemented as part of The Ignite Foundation’s Active Citizenship Lab — a space for nurturing youth-led, community-driven social transformation.

Explore more changemaker stories at 👉 www.theigniteindia.com | impact.theigniteindia.com