A group of like-minded youngsters, all residents of Vadavalli and nearby areas, formed an NGO named Eegai Thiran Sevai Maiyam on July 15, 2015. This NGO is a non-profitable environmental trust that aims to create a better living environment for all.

Saddened by the pathetic and unclean condition of the Marudhamalai temple and its surrounding areas, the group, consisting of engineers, professors, businessmen, architects and students, decided to do clean up the area. Every Sunday they began picking up the garbage that was littered in this area and deposited them in the allotted bins.

“We have started this work with a very small group of about 20 people on August 22. Today we have grown and we are happy that many more volunteers have come forward to help and support this mission,” Siddharth S, a member of the NGO, says.

Six Sundays have passed since Eegai Thiran Sevai Maiyam was launched and they have been tirelessly working towards ensuring that the area around Marudhamalai temple is neat and clean. Reports say that the NGO has cleared and disposed off a major portion of plastic waste and other garbage of more than 1000 kgs in and around the Marudhamalai temple area.

In the upcoming weeks, this NGO has plans of extending their area of operation to the top of the temple too. The Marudhamalai temple authorities are happy with the work of this NGO. Temple sources say that garbage was piling up in the area due to lack of sanitary workers.

The NGO also plans to interact with the devotees and tourists, and make them aware of keeping the area around Marudhamalai temple clean. “In addition to awareness programmes, we are also planning to supply them with eco-friendly carry bags,” says another member, Arun Kumar.