environmental heroes India

Freedom lives in planting forests, protecting wildlife, educating girls, lighting villages, saving lives — meet 7 Indians shaping a stronger, kinder India.

Every year the Kerala government presents the Chief Minister’s Forest Medal for exceptional efforts by individuals who have worked for the development of the society and the conservation of the environment. This is one of the highest honours that Maari has received so far.

Born on Majuli Island, Munmuni Payeng grew up watching floods wash away land and lives. At 25, she’s leading a community-driven mission to plant one million native trees to heal the land and protect Assam’s future.

When Ramachandra saw trees being cut, he quit his job and started Green Morning Horticulture Services. Since 2010, it’s helped move 1.5 lakh trees to safety.

Discover how Chinuu Kwatra’s beach cleanup movement evolved into India’s first beach waste recovery facility — giving ocean plastic a new purpose.