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India, with its rich biodiversity and diverse ecosystems, has been home to remarkable individuals who have dedicated their lives to environmental conservation. These environmentalists have championed sustainable practices, raised awareness about climate change, and inspired millions to protect our planet.
In this article, we explore the contributions of some of India’s most influential environmentalists, including Sunderlal Bahuguna, Medha Patkar, and Jadav Payeng, and their lasting impact on environmental protection.
Contents
- 1 List of Famous Environmentalists in India
- 2 Top Environmentalists in India and Their Contributions
- 2.1 Sunderlal Bahuguna: Leader of the Chipko Movement
- 2.2 Sunita Narain: Advocate for Sustainable Development
- 2.3 Rajendra Singh: The Waterman of India
- 2.4 Jadav Payeng: The Forest Man of India
- 2.5 Sunita Narain: Advocate for Sustainable Development
- 2.6 Medha Patkar: Champion of the Narmada Bachao Andolan
- 2.7 M. Yoganathan
- 2.8 Mike Pandey
- 3 How You Can Support Environmental Conservation in India
- 4 FAQs
List of Famous Environmentalists in India
India, known for its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, has produced a remarkable lineage of famous Indian environmentalists who have tirelessly championed the protection and conservation of its natural resources. Explore the table below to learn more about some of the most renowned environmentalists of India.
| Name | Notable Work | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Sunderlal Bahuguna | Led the Chipko Movement to protect forests in the Himalayas. | Padma Vibhushan (2009) |
| Medha Patkar | Founded Narmada Bachao Andolan | Padma Shri (2014), Right Livelihood Award (1991) |
| Rajendra Singh | Revived 12,000+ water bodies | Ramon Magsaysay Award (2001), Stockholm Water Prize (2015) |
| Jadav Payeng | Created Molai Forest (1,360 acres) | Padma Shri (2015) |
| Sunita Narain | Advocated sustainable development | Padma Shri (2005), Edinburgh Medal (2020) |
| M. Yoganathan | Known as “Tree Man of Tamil Nadu” for planting thousands of trees | Awarded “Vana Mitra” (Friend of Forest) by Tamil Nadu government |
| Sumaira Abdulali | Founded Awaaz Foundation; fought noise pollution | Mother Teresa Award, Ashoka Fellow |
| Mike Pandey | Wildlife conservation documentaries | Green Oscars |
Also Read – 35+ Facts about Nature and the Environment Here!
Top Environmentalists in India and Their Contributions
Now you have taken an overview of the unsung heroes who are protecting India’s diverse ecosystems. Let’s explore the lives of these incredible environmentalists in India who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding our planet, from Sunderlal Bahuguna, who led the Chipko movement, to M.Yoganathan, who is a conductor but has been encouraging people to save trees and plants for the future. Let’s explore them one by one.
Sunderlal Bahuguna: Leader of the Chipko Movement
Sunderlal Bahuguna, born on 9 January 1927 in Maroda, Tehri Garhwal, was one of the most famous environmentalists in India. He gained national and international recognition for his leadership in the Chipko movement. Initiated in the 1970s, this grassroots campaign involved villagers hugging trees to prevent them from being cut down, representing a powerful act of non-violent resistance against deforestation.
Bahuguna’s lifelong commitment to forest conservation and his strong opposition to large infrastructure projects like the Tehri Dam made him a prominent figure in India’s environmental movement.
| About Sunderlal Bahuguna | |
| Name | Sunderlal Bahuguna |
| Born | 9 January 1927 Maroda, Tehri Garhwal |
| Died | 21 May 2021 (aged 94) |
| Occupations | Activist, Gandhian, environmentalist |
Sunita Narain: Advocate for Sustainable Development
Sumaira Abdulai is a brave woman and an Indian environmentalist who started a special group called the Awaaz Foundation to help save the environment. She fought against noisy cars and loud construction to make our cities quieter and healthier. She is a hero for our planet. Sumaira even made efforts to stop people from taking too much from the beach.
| About Sumaira Abdulali | |
| Name | Sumaira Abdulali |
| Born | 22 May 1961 Mumbai, India |
| Age | 63 |
| Known for | Awaaz Foundation, MITRA |
| Awards | Mother Teresa Awards, Ashoka Fellow |
| Fields | Environmentalism, wildlife conservation, noise pollution, sand mining |
Rajendra Singh: The Waterman of India
Rajender Singh is a famous Indian environmentalist who loves water. He is called the “Waterman of India” because he helps people get clean water to drink. Rajendra Singh started a group called Tarun Bharat Sangh to build special water tanks and ponds. He teaches people about the topic of saving water and how to use it wisely. He is a brilliant example of how one person can make a big difference for our planet.
| About Rajendra Singh | |
| Name | Rajendra Singh |
| Other names | “Waterman of India” |
| Born | 6 August 1959 Daula, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Age | 65 |
| Alma mater | Allahabad University |
| Occupation | water conservationist |
| Organization | Tarun Bharat Sangh NGO |
| Known for | Water-based conservation |
Jadav Payeng: The Forest Man of India
Jadav Payeng, the Forest Man of India, is a remarkable environmentalist in India. He single-handedly transformed a barren sandbar in Assam into a lush forest. His determination to tree planting has created a thriving ecosystem, providing a home for countless animals. Jadav Payeng’s story is a testament to the power of one individual to make a positive impact on our planet.
| About Jadav Payeng | |
| Name | Jadav Payeng |
| Born | 1963, Jorhat |
| Age | 61 |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
Sunita Narain: Advocate for Sustainable Development
Sunita Narain is regarded as one of the most famous environmentalists in India and is often referred to as an “Environmental Crusader” for her relentless efforts toward a clean and healthy environment. She has played a key role in raising awareness about environmental issues through her work with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development and environmental protection.
Narain has authored numerous books and articles focusing on pollution, water conservation, and climate change, making significant contributions to India’s environmental discourse.
| About Sunita Narain | |
| Name | Sunita Narain |
| Born | 1961 New Delhi, India |
| Age | 62–63 |
| Alma mater | University of Delhi |
| Occupation | Environmentalist |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2005) Raja-Lakshmi Award (2009) Edinburgh Medal (2020) |
Medha Patkar: Champion of the Narmada Bachao Andolan
Medha Patkar, born on December 1, 1954, in Mumbai, is one of the most prominent female environmentalists in India. She founded the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) in 1989 to protest the construction of large dams on the Narmada River, which threatened to displace over 320,000 people.
Through hunger strikes and grassroots activism, Patkar brought global attention to the environmental and social costs of mega-dams. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2014 for her contributions.
M. Yoganathan
Among the famous environmentalists in India is M. Yogannathan, born in 1969. Although he works as a bus conductor, his deep love for plants and the environment drives him to grow numerous plants and inspire others to do the same in order to protect our Mother Earth. In his free time, Yogannathan dedicates himself to educating people about the importance of nature and the vital role of planting trees.
| About M. Yoganathan | |
| Name | M. Yoganathan |
| Born | 1969 |
| Age | 54–55 |
| Movement | Tree Plantation |
Mike Pandey
Make Pandey is one of the famous Indian environmentalists known as the “Wildlife Warrior.” He creates films about animals to raise awareness and help protect them. To support this mission, he founded a special group called Riverbank Studios, which produces movies that showcase the incredible beauty and importance of wildlife.
Through his work, Pandey has played a key role in preventing harm to animals such as whales, sharks, and many others.
| About Mike Pandey | |
| Name | Mike Pandey |
| Born | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Producer at Riverbank Studios |
| Known for | Conservation of Wildlife |
Read about – Multidisciplinary Nature of Environmental Studies [Download PDF]
How You Can Support Environmental Conservation in India
These environmentalists show that individual actions can create significant change. Here are ways you can contribute:
- Plant Trees: Join local afforestation drives or plant trees in your community, inspired by Jadav Payeng.
- Conserve Water: Adopt rainwater harvesting techniques, as championed by Rajendra Singh.
- Reduce Noise Pollution: Support initiatives like Sumaira Abdulali’s by adhering to noise regulations.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Engage with NGOs like CSE to push for sustainable policies.
- Educate Others: Share knowledge about environmental issues, inspired by Sunita Narain’s advocacy.
FAQs
There are many notable environmentalists in India, but one of the most famous is Sunderlal Bahuguna. He is best known for his leadership of the Chipko movement, a nonviolent social and ecological movement that aimed to protect the forests of the Himalayas.
Medha Patkar is often considered the most famous woman environmentalist in India. She is renowned for her leadership in the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Narmada Save Movement), a grassroots campaign against the construction of large dams on the Narmada River.
Sundari Devi is often referred to as the “Mother of the Indian Environment.” She was a prominent environmental activist who played a crucial role in the Chipko Movement.
Medha Patkar is a prominent Indian environmentalist who has been awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours
Relevant Reads
This was everything about the famous environmentalist in India. Hope you like reading about famous personalities of India and the world. If you want to know more about other Famous Personalities, then visit our General Knowledge page!
