India • Jul 01, 2025

Dutch woman's solo mission to clean Dal Lake

Ellis Hubertina Spaaanderman, a 69-year-old from the Netherlands, has spent the last five years picking up plastic waste from Kashmir's Dal Lake.
After falling in love with the place decades ago, she returned and now rows her own boat to collect trash—showing that anyone can make a difference just by getting started.

TL;DR

Her work has inspired many

Spaaanderman's dedication hasn't gone unnoticed. Locals like Yawar Ahmad say they're inspired by her efforts, and more people are joining in to help clean up.
Even the Lake Conservation Authority is connecting with her to spread environmental awareness among kids, proving that one person's passion can get a whole community moving.