A 12-year-old environmental activist, Ayaan Shankta from Mumbai, has been titled as 2021 International “Young Eco-Hero” in gratefulness for his hard work to solve threatening environmental issues.

Ayaan Shankta has won the third position in the 8-14 age group for his mission Conservation and Rehabilitation of Powai Lake, according to a media report released on Wednesday. Powai Lake is a stilted lake in Mumbai in the Powai valley, where Powai village with a group of sheds exists.

The city turned from a village called Powai, which shares its name with the lake. The IIT Bombay’s Class of 1980 has launched a “Revitalisation of Powai Lake” intending to bring back the lake to its original pristine and sustainable form by implementing eco-friendly strategies and resources for the rebuilding works. Among the 25 young ecological campaigners, Ayaan Shankta is one from across the globe who is grateful for Action For Nature (AFN) as a 2021 international Young Eco-Hero. 

Ayaan, who lives near the lake, said, “My mission is to regain the glory of the lake as the clean and vibrant body of water”. Powai Lake is drinking water for the locals but now it is dumping garbage ground. “This will not only support bringing ecological steadiness but it will also help to conserve the endangered species,” said Ayaan Shankta.

Teenagers like Ayaan have shown us that the coming generation’s leaders are here and they are very much aware to solve the world’s most environmental challenges, said Beryl Kay, president of AFN.

AFN is an international non-profit organisation that inspires people to nurture a love and respect for the environment of the Earth. Beryl Karl says, “These young people have created projects which will have positive effects on their communities and also help to solve the climate challenges and inspire other people, no matter of what age”.“

The younger generation can influence their elders and can make them understand the environmental problems that are faced by us today. The youth can make them see that our environment is deteriorating day by day,” quoted by Oren Lyons. 


Singhal Bhoomi Pawan