Alok Shukla, a dedicated forest and tribal rights activist, will be awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize for leading a successful community campaign that preserved 4.45 lakh acres of biodiverse forests in Chhattisgarh from the threat of 21 proposed coal mines.
In a remarkable victory for environmental conservation, Alok Shukla, the driving force behind Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, is set to be honored with the renowned Goldman Environmental Prize in 2024. Shukla’s unwavering commitment to protecting the pristine forests of Hasdeo Aranya, hailed as the lungs of Chhattisgarh, has earned him global recognition. The cancellation of the auction of 21 proposed coal mines in the region, a critical victory for environmental preservation, was attributed to Shukla’s grassroots efforts and community mobilization.
The Goldman Environmental Foundation highlighted Shukla’s pivotal role in uniting local communities through the formation of the Hasdeo Aranya Bachao Sangharsh Samiti in 2012. His strategic initiatives, including lobbying village legislative councils and organizing protest marches, proved instrumental in safeguarding the biodiversity-rich forests from industrial exploitation.
Shukla’s campaign, fueled by the hashtag #SaveHasdeo, resonated widely on social media platforms and inspired innovative forms of activism nationwide, ranging from motorcycle rallies to symbolic tree-hugging protests. The culmination of these efforts led to significant milestones, such as the designation of the Lemru elephant reserve and the state legislature’s resolution against mining in the entire Hasdeo Aranya region.
The Goldman Environmental Prize, often dubbed as the Green Nobel, acknowledges individuals like Shukla who champion grassroots environmental causes. Shukla’s exemplary leadership underscores the power of collective action in confronting environmental threats and preserving invaluable natural ecosystems for future generations.
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