Afroz Shah

Afroz Shah is an Indian environmental activist and lawyer from Mumbai.^[1] He is best known for organizing the world's largest beach clean-up.^[2] In 2016, Shah was awarded the United Nations Champion of the Earth title for singlehandedly initiating & leading the clean-up of Mumbai's Versova Beach.^[3]

Afroz Shah
Born	Afroz Shah Mumbai, India
Occupation(s)	Environmental activist, lawyer

Shah partnered with the Dawoodi Bohra's Turning the Tide campaign to remove plastic from the Mithi river and Dana Pani beach in Mumbai.^[4][5][6] Inspired by Afroz Shah's effort to clean beaches in Mumbai, the United Nations Environment Program launched the Clean Seas campaign^[7] globally.^[8] In 2019, Shah was listed as one of CNN's Top 10 Heroes of the Year.^[9]

Awards and honors

• United Nations Champions of the Earth 2016^[10][11][12]
• CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2017^[13]
• CNN named him amongst its list of Top 10 Heroes of Year 2019^[14][15]
• GQ awarded the trophy for Eco Warrior of the Year 2019^[16][17]

PM of India Narendra Modi praised Shah's work for transforming Versova beach from filth and garbage to clean and beautiful during his radio programme 'Mann ki Baat' on 28 May 2017.^{[18][19][7][20][21]}