OurChampions

Cohort3|2026

30NYCCClimateChampionsfromourthirdcohort,representing27statesandUnionTerritories,areleadingcommunity-drivenclimateactionacrossIndia.FromdevelopingindigenouscoolingsolutionsinruralRajasthantoenablingcarboncreditopportunitiesthroughcardamomfarminginKeralatorestoringwaterbodiesthroughparticipatoryinitiativesinTripura,theyareadvancinglocallyledsolutionsthatstrengthenclimateresilienceandlivelihoodsacrossinnovation,research,awarenessandmobilization.Buildingclimateadvocacyfromthegroundup,purchampionsareensuringthattheircommunitiesarerepresentedonnationalandinternationalplatforms,includingCOP31,bringinglocallyrootedsolutionsandlivedexperiencestotheforefrontofglobalclimateconversations.

Ratnagiri, Maharashtra

Aishwarya Vichare

Aishwarya Arun Vichare is a Project Manager at Bharat Intelligence, working at the intersection of agricultural technology, strategy, and data-driven solutions.

Vyara, Tapi, Gujarat

Akash Gamit

Akash is an indigenous young person from the Bhil community, belonging to the Tapi region of South Gujarat.

Idukki, Kerala

Akmal Ali P M

Akmal Ali is a sustainability professional and researcher with a background in Economics and a Master's in Sustainability Science.

Agartala, Tripura

Anubhab Sil

Anubhab is a fisheries science student at the College of Fisheries, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, deeply committed to climate-resilient fisheries and community-centered adaptation.

Agatti, Lakshadweep

Aqsad Saqil D R

Aqsad hailing from Agatti Island, Lakshadweep, has always shared a close connection to the sea and its unique island ecosystem.

Dibrugarh / Guwahati, Assam

Arpita Chakraborty

An independent researcher and filmmaker, Arpita works at the intersection of gender equality, climate resilience, and sustainable rural communities, particularly through women-led grassroots initiatives in Upper Assam.

Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Avanish Kumar

Avanish is a multimedia journalist and researcher committed to documenting grassroots issues through evidence-based storytelling.

Cherrapunji (Sohra), Meghalaya

Carmel Fedrick Malngiang

Carmel is a Climate & Environment, Human Rights, and Social Activist from Wahkaliar, Sohra, Meghalaya.

Jind, Haryana

Divanshi

Divanshi, hailing from Jind, Haryana, is the founder of Project Namu, a community-based sustainability awareness initiative, who believes climate action begins with conscious awareness.

Tiruppur / Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Gnana Sri Bhavani G

Gnana Sri Bhavani is a climate and sustainability professional bridging frontline voices and policy.

Chakulia, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand

Jadupati Paul

Jadupati Paul is an entrepreneur and community leader from Chakulia, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, committed to advancing grassroots climate action and sustainable rural development.

Betul, Madhya Pradesh

Joshi Jaiminkumar Devchandbhai

Jaimin works as a development sector professional in Betul district, focusing on Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM) and agriculture.

Namchi District, Sikkim

Karthick Sakthivel

A Chemical Engineer by training, Karthick possesses over four years of experience working with NGOs and bridging high-level planning with grassroots climate action, particularly in navigating the complexities of rural development.

Ernakulam / Kochi, Kerala

Krishnaprasad V S

Krishnaprasad V S is a development sector professional from Kerala currently serving as State Project Coordinator at the Directorate of Samoohika Sannadhasena, Government of Kerala.

Itanagar / Mariyang, Arunachal Pradesh

Marina Dai

Marina is a freelance journalist from Arunachal Pradesh, passionate about documenting the intersection of climate change, Indigenous knowledge, and environmental justice across Northeast India.

Leh, Ladakh

Mariya Itrat

Hailing from Ladakh, a breathtaking region cradled by majestic mountain Ta, Mariya has a deep rooted connection to the natural world.

Tamenglong District, Manipur

Mathiuthonliu Nkengnamai

Mathiuthonliu Nkengnamai is a UGC Junior Research Fellow and doctoral scholar at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, specializing in sustainable landscape management and climate resilience in the Northeastern Himalayan region.

Model Town, Delhi, New Delhi

Muskan Bhatia

Muskan Bhatia is a Deaf queer feminist researcher, climate justice advocate, and founder of Waves Beyond Walls, a queer- and disabled-led collective advancing disability inclusion, climate resilience, gender justice, and accessible leadership.

Haridwar, Uttarakhand

Nagma Bhadana

Nagma is a dedicated youth community worker from the Van Gujjar pastoralist community in the Gaidikhatta, Shyampur range of Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

Mayabunder, Andaman and Nicobar

Naw J Jacquelyn

Naw J Jacquelyn is a Karen islander from Webi, Middle Andaman, and a conservation practitioner working at the intersection of community engagement, policy, and environmental stewardship.

Chandannagar, West Bengal

Pousali Bhar

Pousali Bhar is an English literature educator, researcher, and youth climate advocate from Chandannagar, West Bengal.

Nagaon, Assam

Pulak Jyoti Das

A Dalit Queer person and first-generation learner from Assam, Pulak believes climate change disproportionately affects marginalised communities and is committed to building inclusive, community-led climate solutions through youth leadership, advocacy, and collective action.

Deoli, New Delhi

Raginee Mohanty

An undergraduate pharmacy student, Raginee co-founded RICEOI, converting paddy stubble into insulation for non-electric slow cookers.

Hyderabad, Telangana

Sai Navya Sri Potla

Navya Potla is an agroecology practitioner and traditional seed exponent. She was incubated at the National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) under RKVY RAFTAAR initiative.

Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh

Shubhangani Suryavanshi

Shubhangani is a multidisciplinary storyteller and researcher from Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, dedicated to documenting the vibrant intersections of nature, culture, and community.

Lahaul Spiti / Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

Sonam Yangzom

Sonam Yangzom is a first-generation learner, a Pestalozzi Scholar, and a development professional from an agro-pastoralist family in Pin Valley, Spiti.

Jamui, Bihar

Sangam Kumari

Sangam Kumari is a final-year undergraduate student from Simultala, Jamui, Bihar, and a dedicated community worker.

Dimapur, Nagaland

Suhutoli Achumi

Trained in social work with a specialization in youth engagement, Suhutoli focuses on the rights of adolescents, women, and children.

Aizawl District (Sailutar), Mizoram

Vanlal Hlupuii

Vanlal is a Senior Research Fellow at Mizoram University completing a PhD on Household Sustainable Consumption Behaviour.

Kotra, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Vinay Agarwal

Vinay Agarwal is a dedicated community worker from Bikarni village in the Kotda block of Udaipur, Rajasthan, a region characterized by its remote tribal landscape.