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India is a land rich in biodiversity and has been home to numerous individuals who dedicated their lives to protecting the environment and implementing environmental conservation. These individuals often addressed as the most famous environmentalists in India, have played a crucial role in raising awareness, advocating for sustainable practices and inspiring generations to care for our planet. In this article, you will get to know about some of the most famous Indian environmentalists such as Sunderlal Bahuguna, Sumaira Abdulali, and Rajendra Singh, to name a few, along with their notable work for motivation. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
List of Famous Environmentalists in India
India, a land of diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, has been home to a remarkable lineage of environmentalists who have tirelessly championed the protection and conservation of its natural resources. Examine the table to learn about the famous environmentalists of India –
| Name of Famous Environmentalists in India | Notable Work and Contribution |
| Sunderlal Bahuguna | Led the Chipko Movement to protect forests in the Himalayas. |
| Sumaira Abdulali | Stood against air pollution and industrial waste in Mumbai.Founded the Mumbai Environmental Action Group (MEAG). |
| Rajendra Singh | Known as the “Waterman of India” for his efforts to conserve water resources.Implemented innovative water harvesting techniques and community-based water management. |
| Jadav Payeng | Planted over 5 million trees on a barren sandbar in Assam, creating a forest.Recognised as the “Forest Man of India” for his dedication to afforestation. |
| Sunita Narain | Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).Advocated for sustainable development, clean energy, and environmental justice. |
| M. Yoganathan | Founder of the Vanarai Foundation, dedicated to forest conservation and wildlife protection.Implemented community-based forest management programs |
| Mike Pandey | Founder of the Himalayan Environmental Preservation and Research Organization (HEPRO).Worked on the conservation of the Himalayan ecosystem, including snow leopards and their habitat. |
Also Read – 35+ Facts about Nature and the Environment Here!
All About Famous Indian Environmentalist and Their Work
Have you ever wondered who the unsung heroes are, protecting India’s diverse ecosystems? Let’s explore the lives of the incredible Indian environmentalists 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.
Sunderlal Bahuguna
Sunderlal Bahuguna was born on 9 January 1927 in Maroda, Tehri Garhwal, He was known for his leadership in the Chipko movement. This grassroots campaign was initiated in the 1970s and in this movement, people hugged trees to stop them from being cut down. Bahuguna’s advocacy for forest conservation and his opposition to large dams like the Tehri Dam made him a prominent figure in environmental activism.
| About Sunderlal Bahuguna | |
| Name | Sunderlal Bahuguna |
| Born | 9 January 1927 Maroda, Tehri Garhwal |
| Died | 21 May 2021 (aged 94) |
| Occupations | Activist, Gandhian, environmentalist |
Sumaira Abdulali
Sumaira Abdulai is a brave woman and 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
Rajender Singh is a famous Indian hero 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 on 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
Jadav Payeng, The Forest Man of India is a remarkable Indian environmentalist. 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
Sunita Narain has been given the name of “ Environmental Crusader” because she fights for a clean and healthy environment. Central for Science and Environment is the group which was started here to make people understand how to protect our planet. She wrote many books and articles about pollution, water and climate.
| 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) |
M. Yoganathan
M.Yogannathan born in 1969 is a bus conductor but due to his love towards plants and the environment, he grows many plants and encourages others to do the same to protect our mother Earth. He spends his free time teaching people about the importance of nature and planting trees.
| About M. Yoganathan | |
| Name | M. Yoganathan |
| Born | 1969 |
| Age | 54–55 |
| Movement | Tree Plantation |
Mike Pandey
Make Pandey is also known as the “Wild Life Warrior” because he makes movies about animals and helps protect them. He had started a special group called Riverbank Studios to make movies that show how amazing animals are. He helped stop people from hurting animals like whales, sharks and animals.
| 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]
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 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 honour
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!