Mariya Itrat

Hailing from Ladakh, a breathtaking region cradled by majestic mountain Ta, Mariya has a deep rooted connection to the natural world. A forthcoming graduate student and former Head Girl, she represented Ladakh at the National Children's Science Congress with a research project on local buckwheat. Witnessing the severe impacts of global warming in her fragile Himalayan region, such as unusually heavy rainfall, has inspired her to become an active voice for environmental responsibility. As a young individual, she firmly believes that environmental stewardship begins with us.we cannot wait for others to act, it is crucial that we actively take responsibility and participate in preserving Ladakh’s unique ecosystem.

Mariya aims to create awareness with her project - Zero Waste Schools across Ladakh, about local environmental issues while focusing on finding practical solutions to the issue of waste. She aims to conduct initiatives that encourage local community members to adopt responsible practices for a cleaner and sustainable environment in Ladakh. Her goal is to effectively preserve local biodiversity and inspire others by building a community where everyone feels personally responsible for protecting the planet.