Environment

From robotic boats to duckweed-powered wastewater treatment, five innovative ways that are reimagining river cleanup with community impact, proving that young changemakers can revive India’s lifelines.

Once threatened by poaching and tree-cutting, Elathur Lake in Erode is now home to 187 bird species and a proud Biodiversity Heritage Site — thanks to its people.

Inspired by the Japanese art of Kokedama, Anjali started her own garden. And her amma transformed it by upcycling waste such as cans, bottles, tyres and old clothes!

After learning about the ugly side of development projects as a lawyer, Panta Ferrao quit his job and went on to create ‘Khaama Kethna’ -- an eco-village nestled in Goa’s jungles.

G Srikanth from Gudiyatham in Tamil Nadu, witnessed his hometown’s greenery fade away. So, he planted over 15,000 trees across Vellore’s barren lands despite facing threats and opposition from the real estate mafia and politicians.

Worried about the planet’s future, Akshat Shah and Shubh Mehta launched ‘Change Is Us’ in Mumbai when they were in Class 12. Now, they’re supported by 25,000 volunteers cleaning Girgaon Chowpatty Beach on weekends.

IFS officer Jagdish Bakan, the Director of Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, became the first Indian to win UNESCO’s Michel Batisse Award for effective biosphere reserve management.

From single-handedly cleaning oceans to braving land mafia threats to grow forests, The Better India's 'Environment Heroes of the Year' emerged as true champions of change in 2023.

Braving threats from the real estate mafia, G Srikanth from Tamil Nadu singlehandedly grew a forest on a 25-acre land near the Palar river.

In Hyderabad, citizens came together to save old banyan trees from being cut down for a new national highway. The recent decision by the National Green Tribunal is a big win for everyone. Here are their tips for those who want to protect the environment.