Project: Save our nature

Georg Lesser and 26yearold Johannes Leeder left for India by the end of October last year from their hometown Thuringia in central Germany It was supposed to be a sojourn of sorts mdash a break to reconnect with nature spend some time birdwatching and mingle with the local crowd But little did they know that they would temporarily stay back in Pathiramanal an island in Alappuzha district Kerala to help dispose its toxic plastic waste responsiblyLeft Georg Lesser and Johannes Leeder at Alappuzha district Kerala The duo was aghast at the swamps of plastic waste at the famous tourist destination Pathiramanal and decided to clean it up themselves PIC courtesyGeorg LesserCleaning up an islandThe duo has so far toured across nearly 20 cities and states in the country including Delhi where they first touched down Rajasthan Varanasi Kodaikanal and Madurai ldquoIn Kerala we wanted to explore the backwaters so we made our own boat using bamboo and coir roperdquo explains Lesser over a telephone interview ldquoDuring the three weeks we spent in Kerala we travelled to Kottayam and Kumarakom We even sleep in the boat and cook our food thererdquo he says Ask him why the two refused to opt for a houseboat mdash a favourite with tourists mdash and he laughs ldquoWe wanted adventure and stick to our budgetrdquo he explainsIt was this zest for adventure that brought them to Alappuzharsquos Pathiramanal a paradise for birdwatchers which houses various species of migratory birds But while touring the island the nature lovers were aghast at one of the first sights that greeted them mdash swamps of plastic waste ldquoWe asked the panchayat at Muhamma a town in Alappuzha district district near the island for permission to clean the place and they were very supportive They gave us gloves and promised us that they will deposit the waste that we collect at the recycling centre and empty the dustbin regularlyrdquo elaborates LesserThe duo wakes up at sunrise every day and after a light breakfast begins the work of cleaning the island by aggregating plastic bottles in green bags till sunset ldquoWhile cleaning we spoke to a lot of people Some helped us to clean the island While in Kottayam we participated in the event Run Kerala Run and carried a selfmade flag with the slogan lsquoSave naturersquo to spread our message We have even started a Facebook account so that volunteers can get in touch with usrdquo adds the 25yearold The project he says does not have the backing of a big corporate brand ldquoPeople got to know about the project through word of mouth We are just two friends who are trying to do their bit to save the environmentrdquo he sayslsquoWe need more dustbinsrsquoLesser who works as a paramedic in Germany is all praises for his host country ldquoIndians are so close to each other as a community which is something different from my countryrdquo says Lesser who spent two weeks in Kodaikanalrsquos deep forests He singles that out as his best experience so far ldquoWe got to see a lot of wild animals like tigersrdquo he gushes with childlike enthusiasmBut peoplersquos tendency to mindlessly throw garbage out of a train or car has left the medical professional displeased ldquoWe need more dustbins especially in islands There must also be an effective recycling and garbage collection systemrdquo he points outThe two have decided to extend their stay by a few months and are on their way to Fort Kochi as we speak ldquoI like to live in the moment So I havenrsquot really planned the future except that I want to continue this project elsewhere in Indiardquo he says adding that he wants to head to the north and the Himalayas nextAnd what about his friends and family back home ldquoThey were very surprised when I told them about my plans to stay back They are worried that we wonrsquot returnrdquo says Lesser with a hearty laugh