India has a coastline of more than 7,000 kilometers, but sadly, it’s not all pristine beaches and stunning cliffs. In fact, for Mumbai’s citizens, the shore is more like a landfill. The beaches are covered with trash — colourful plastic bags, bottles and food packages are everywhere, often entangled in old fishing nets or rotting fabrics.

Most people are outraged by the situation, angry at the city government for not cleaning it up or at those who throw their trash in the streets or even straight onto the beach. But one man decided to stop complaining and instead, take matters into his own hands. Literally.

During the week, 36 year-old Afroz Shah is a constitutional lawyer in Mumbai’s high court. But on the weekends, he cleans up the beach. It all started two years ago when he moved to an apartment with a view of Versova beach in Mumbai. He had lived in the same neighborhood as a child and played on the beautiful beach, so was excited to move back there.