From an initial 2,500 applicants throughout all of India, Clean Himalaya was selected into a shortlist of 50 for the final on 28th May 2007 in New Delhi. After rigorous questioning and assessment by a series of judges and panels, the 20 best social innovators and entrepreneurial projects for the protection of India’s Natural Resources were chosen. Clean Himalaya won this accolade, and with it awarded $20,000 towards funding the projects continued expansion.

 Jitendra Kumar, manager of Clean Himalaya, accepting the World Bank India Development Marketplace 2007 award in New Delhi, for grassroots initiatives for Management and protection of natural Resources

Receiving this award is a testament to the passion and tireless work that Jitendra Kumar, Swami Susan, Babita Kumar, Venkatesh Dutta, Gabriel, Alan, Scott, and all the workers have put into taking on this ambitious and wide ranging project. To remove and recycle the enormous ammount of plastic and garbage that have been dumped along the banks of the Ganges and in the surrounding countryside near the town of Rishikesh and return this holy pilgrimage place back to it’s pristine natural beauty.

Click here to see original proposal to the World Bank

World Bank Award Photos (New Dehli - 28 March 2007)