Our planet, Mother Earth, is a beautiful place to live, but it requires our help to remain healthy. Every year, over a million people participate in Environment Day to combat issues like pollution and deforestation. By engaging in activities such as picking up litter and planting trees, we can contribute to making our world a cleaner, happier, and healthier place to live.
The list highlights ten dedicated Indian environmentalists striving to make our world cleaner and better. Ranging from business leaders to activists, these individuals have demonstrated a deep commitment to protecting our environment and safeguarding our planet for future generations.
1. Viral Desai, CEO Zenitex and Founder Hearts@Work Foundation
Viral Desai is a renowned industrialist, who has earned the sobriquet of Greenman because of his love for the environment and numerous endeavours aimed at creating a greener future for all. He has supported the plantation and distribution of more than 6.50 lakh trees and developed several urban forests, but his biggest success lies in inspiring lakhs of people to become environmental warriors. His remarkable contributions have made him a six-time recipient of the National Energy Conservation Award and various other national and international accolades.
2. Vishal S. Budhia, Chairman & Managing Director of SteamHouse India
Under the leadership of its Chairman & Managing Director, Vishal S. Budhia, SteamHouse India has emerged as a pioneer in championing innovative and eco-friendly technologies. SteamHouse is the first Indian company dedicated to centralised steam supply, helping industrial units adopt energy-efficient and sustainable solutions
and significantly reduces emissions. SteamHouse has established a presence in major industrial clusters of Gujarat and is making impactful contributions to the fight against climate change. It serves as a model for integrating green practices in industrial operations, promoting a sustainable future.
3. Sadhguru, Founder of Isha Foundation
Sadhguru started the Isha Foundation in 1992, a place in Coimbatore, India, where people can learn about spirituality and yoga. He’s been teaching yoga since 1982. Under his leadership, the foundation runs projects called Conscious Planet all over the world. These projects aim to make people more aware and caring about the planet and each other. They work on big things like the environment, education in rural areas, health, and helping communities.
Throughout three decades, their innovative environmental and social initiatives have gained international acclaim from prestigious organizations such as the United Nations, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Economic Forum (WEF). These initiatives serve as successful models for empowering individuals and revitalizing communities globally.
4. Ashok Thakur, India Adviser to EARTHDAY.ORG and Director of Customized Energy Solutions Europe
Ashok Thakur, India Adviser to EARTHDAY.ORG and Director at Customized Energy Solutions Europe, boasts over 15 years of experience in varied sectors including renewable energy, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and more. Renowned in the media and events industry, particularly in German media, he excels in new product development and market entry. Passionate about environmental advocacy, he actively participates in tree plantation drives and promotes renewable energy adoption, advising the Earth Day Network. He is also advocating for healthy habits towards nature.
5. Maneka Gandhi, Former Member of the Lok Sabha
Maneka Gandhi really cares about animals and nature. She started People for Animals in 1994, which is the biggest animal protection group in India. Gandhi thinks it’s super important to be nice to animals and not hurt them. She even had her own TV show called “Heads and Tails” and wrote a book with the same name. Now, she’s in charge of choosing the best environmental ideas for the International Energy Globe Foundation.
6. Jaymal Amin, Rohan Amin, and Ronak Porecha – Director of Lubi Industries LLP
Lubi Group of Industries, under the leadership of Mr. Ronak Porecha, Director of Lubi Industries LLP, inaugurates a cutting-edge 4 MW solar power plant in Shinavada, Gujarat. This visionary project showcases Lubi’s commitment to sustainability, featuring 7270 Mono-PERC bifacial solar modules with 21% efficiency. Generating 22,000 units per day, it aims to power Lubi Manufacturing plants, aligning with the group’s pledge towards carbon neutrality and a greener future.
7. Sunita Narain, Indian environmentalist and political activist
Sunita Narain has been at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) since 1982, now as its boss. She’s a big voice for nature and got a top Indian award in 2005. She’s also known for saving water and got a big prize for that too. In 2005, she led a group to save tigers after they disappeared from a place calledSariska. She’s also helped the government with climate change and cleaning up rivers.
She wrote important reports in the past, talked aboutIndia’s environment and how to make villages greener. Her latest report in 2012 was about water and pollution in Indian cities.
8. Rajendra Singh, Indian conservationist and environmentalist
Rajendra Singh is a famous environmentalist from Rajasthan, India, known as the “Waterman of India.” He got a big award in 2001 for helping communities save and use water better.
9. Eishaan Shah, Director of Nitya Ensafe
Eishaan Shah is a water expert and Director of Surat-based Nitya Ensafe, a leading provider of wastewater recycling and other environmental services. He established the company in 2014 with the vision of promoting sustainable growth while prioritising the environment. Over the years, Nitya Ensafe has successfully executed dozens of projects, making a significant positive impact on the environment. Mr Shah is a believer in continuous learning and shares his knowledge with others by speaking at various forums.
10. Medha Patkar, Politician and Activist
Medha Patkar, born in Mumbai in 1954, is famous for protecting nature and fighting for people’s rights. She’s mostly known for her work in the Narmada Bachao Andolan and for starting a campaign to save the Sutlej River in Punjab. Patkar thinks these rivers are like our moms and should be kept safe. She fights for basic rights like the right to live and work, which are guaranteed by India’s laws.
