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Ms. Basanti Devi

Ms. Basanti Devi

(Environmental Protection)

About Ms. Basanti Devi

  • Ms. Basanti Devi, Padma shri-award (2022) winning environmentalist from Pithoragarh (Uttrakhand) known for her contribution towards revitalizing the Kosi river. 
  • For her efforts in this area, she was also awarded the Nari Shakti Samman. 

Social Work

  • She launched her campaign in June 2003, when the Kosi registered its lowest summer flow near Almora.  
    • She started by educating village women not to cut trees for firewood. 
  • She formed 200 women’s groups called ‘Mahila Mangal Dal’ that pledged to save the river by using only dead wood, planting lakhs of broad-leaved Oka trees, stopping hotels and resorts from siphoning off water, and preventing and putting out forest fires. 
  • The group’s efforts started resulting in surplus water in the once almost dry area of the Kosi watershed region. 

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Nadia Murad
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Denis Mukwege
Denis Mukwege
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Abiy Ahmed Ali
Abiy Ahmed Ali
(Peacebuilding)
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