Viraj Sahi

Viraj Sahi, a passionate environmentalist from India, is on a mission to tackle the pressing issue of religious river pollution in his country. With a deep concern for the environment and a drive to make a difference, Viraj's project idea aims to address the alarming influx of 80,00,000 tons of religious waste into India's rivers annually. This waste not only threatens aquatic life and habitats but also pollutes the drinking-water supply, posing a serious health risk to communities.

Viraj's innovative solution involves the development of a stationary river-cleaning system that harnesses the river's momentum to filter out floating religious waste. By utilizing waste materials in the system's construction, he promotes circularity and cost-effectiveness. Moreover, by open-sourcing the design, Viraj aims to empower others to implement similar systems locally, amplifying the impact of his initiative.

Inspired by the sight of religious waste being carelessly discarded into the river on his daily commute to school, Viraj is driven by a deep sense of environmental stewardship and a belief in the importance of preserving the sanctity of India's rivers. His project not only seeks to conserve river habitats by removing religious pollutants but also aims to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases in communities living along polluted rivers, ultimately contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment for all.