Speakers

Ranjan Panda is a researcher, environmentalist and activist. He convenes two forums of civil society groups Water Initiative Odisha and Combat Climate Change Network, India which work towards raising issues of water, sanitation and climate change. Through these networks, his initiatives have benefited grassroots communities in both urban and rural areas. Because of his remarkable achievements in the state of Odisha, he is known as ‘Waterman of Odisha’ and ‘Climate Crusader.’ He has three decades of experience and continues to raise awareness about the threats faced by rivers and water bodies of Odisha and campaign for preserving water bodies as healthy units of theecosystem. Some of the campaigns he leads are: #Youth4Water, ‘Healthy Rivers, Happy Cities’, and ‘Mahanadi Peace Initiative.’ He was awarded with first “Green Hero” in Dec 2010 by NDTV and received it from the President of India. He writes regularly in journals, newspapers and websites, relentlessly fighting the war against climate change.