Elderly man rows boat, cleans plastic waste from Alleppey backwaters in Kerala

An elderly man cleaned plastic waste from Alleppey backwaters in Kerala while rowing his boat around, which led to conversations on responsible tourism and environmental care.

A video of an elderly man rowing a narrow wooden canoe through the Alleppey backwaters collecting plastic trash thrown into the water led to discussions on civic responsibility and environmental awareness.

In a video shared on Instagram by Karnataka-based plant retailer Riddhi Plants, the elderly man is seen patiently navigating the calm waters of Alleppey, collecting plastic bottles and floating waste left behind by visitors. As the golden light reflects off the rippling surface, his small boat appears noticeably filled with discarded plastic bottles.

The reel opens with the text overlay, “Civic sense is the new trend?” before showing the elderly man rowing from one patch of water to another, reaching out to gather empty bottles and debris.

In the caption accompanying the video, the page wrote, “During our visit to the beautiful Alleppey backwaters, we were mesmerised by the calm waters and serene surroundings. But amidst all that beauty, it was disheartening to see so many plastic bottles and waste carelessly thrown around. It made us pause and reflect.”

They then described how the next morning they noticed the elderly man “patiently collecting the plastic bottles left behind by visitors,” calling the sight “deeply moving.” According to the caption, while many tourists arrive to admire the natural beauty, very few consider their responsibility in preserving it.

Quoting directly from the post, the page stated, “Travel is not just about taking memories; it’s also about showing respect to the places that host us.” It added, “If we can carry plastic with us on the way in, we can certainly carry it back on the way out. Responsible tourism is the true mark of good civic sense. Let’s enjoy nature, but also protect it.”