Alok Shukla Awarded Goldman Environmental Prize for 2024

Alok Shukla, a 43-year-old environmental activist from Chhattisgarh, India, was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize for 2024 in recognition of his leadership in the successful grassroots campaign to protect the Hasdeo Aranya forests. This campaign prevented the development of 21 proposed coal mines in a region that spans 657 square miles and houses critical habitats for endangered species like tigers and Asian elephants. The movement, known as the Save Hasdeo Movement, mobilized local communities and gained significant support, ultimately leading to the preservation of one of India’s largest intact forest areas, vital for the biodiversity and the indigenous Adivasi communities.