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Gauri Vij profile imageGauri VijPublished on
Indian environmentalists on Instagram who highlight the impact of the climate emergency

Meet 11 people who have devoted their lives to documenting and catalysing change

Reduce, reuse, repair, recycle. Clean energy. Sustainable life choices. Eco-friendly products. Ditch fossil fuels. Walk, use public transport, opt for electric vehicles. Sometimes reading about the negative impacts of a modern-day, fast-paced life can leave you confused about what you can do to save Planet Earth from imploding. Or simply just waiting for that asteroid to land.


The lives of others can perhaps inspire you to learn more about the world we occupy, and how we can save the precious flora and fauna in our urban habitats. The good news is that we have plenty of eco-warriors we can emulate or learn from. Social media, the great leveller, the fabulous disseminator of information, can be a treasure trove of accounts of people who have made it their life’s mission to highlight and preserve the beauty of our world.

Here are 11 of The Established’s favourite earth-loving accounts you should follow on Instagram.

Sejal Mehta (sejalmehta06), writer and science communicatorThe recently released book Superpowers on the Shore (2022) written by Sejal Mehta is the result of her obsession with the Indian coastline. Mehta’s aim is to communicate what beauties can be found, if you just look for them anywhere. Solar-powered slugs, escape-artist octopuses, venomous jellies, harpooning conus sea snails are just a few. The coastline, as Mehta highlights, can be as biodiverse as a forest wildlife safari, and twice as clandestine. Her Instagram feed is an utter delight and throws light on hidden marine life in tidal waters in urban areas. Image: courtesy Sejal Mehta 

Sejal Mehta (sejalmehta06), writer and science communicator

The recently released book Superpowers on the Shore (2022) written by Sejal Mehta is the result of her obsession with the Indian coastline. Mehta’s aim is to communicate what beauties can be found, if you just look for them anywhere. Solar-powered slugs, escape-artist octopuses, venomous jellies, harpooning conus sea snails are just a few. The coastline, as Mehta highlights, can be as biodiverse as a forest wildlife safari, and twice as clandestine. Her Instagram feed is an utter delight and throws light on hidden marine life in tidal waters in urban areas. Image: courtesy Sejal Mehta 

Rohan Chakravarty (@greenhumour), cartoonist, illustratorUsing the medium of books, cartoons, comics and illustrations on wild animals, Rohan Chakravarty’s work highlights wildlife and nature conservation, the importance of sustainability and all things green. At a whopping 146k followers on the ’gram, Chakravarthy is a hugely popular voice in the green space. His special brand of humour isn’t only aimed at drawing a chuckle or two but is a serious comment on the state of nature. Image: courtesy Rohan Chakravarty 

Rohan Chakravarty (@greenhumour), cartoonist, illustrator

Using the medium of books, cartoons, comics and illustrations on wild animals, Rohan Chakravarty’s work highlights wildlife and nature conservation, the importance of sustainability and all things green. At a whopping 146k followers on the ’gram, Chakravarthy is a hugely popular voice in the green space. His special brand of humour isn’t only aimed at drawing a chuckle or two but is a serious comment on the state of nature. Image: courtesy Rohan Chakravarty 

Yuvan Aves (@_naturalists_column), writer and educatorAwarded the Green Teacher Award in 2021 by the Sanctuary Nature Foundation (@sanctuarynaturefundation), Yuvan Aves is a believer in using nature-based learning rather than classroom instruction. Based in Chennai and working with the Abacus Montessori School, Aves practises what he preaches with fervour, and coordinates various environmental campaigns. He has written two books and several articles that propagate the importance of the natural world. Image: courtesy Yuvan Aves 

Yuvan Aves (@_naturalists_column), writer and educator

Awarded the Green Teacher Award in 2021 by the Sanctuary Nature Foundation (@sanctuarynaturefundation), Yuvan Aves is a believer in using nature-based learning rather than classroom instruction. Based in Chennai and working with the Abacus Montessori School, Aves practises what he preaches with fervour, and coordinates various environmental campaigns. He has written two books and several articles that propagate the importance of the natural world. Image: courtesy Yuvan Aves 

Marine life of Mumbai (@marinelifeofmumbai)A stunning catalogue of Maximum Cty’s coastline aquatic creatures, the account is a flagship project of the Coastal Conservation Foundation (@ccfindia_). It is replete with close-up photographs of beautiful, mystical marine life that we simply do not notice, given the high level of construction and real estate development that Mumbai continues to witness. And yet there is nature struggling to survive in every part of this teeming metropolis. Image: courtesy Marine Life of Mumbai

Marine life of Mumbai (@marinelifeofmumbai)

A stunning catalogue of Maximum Cty’s coastline aquatic creatures, the account is a flagship project of the Coastal Conservation Foundation (@ccfindia_). It is replete with close-up photographs of beautiful, mystical marine life that we simply do not notice, given the high level of construction and real estate development that Mumbai continues to witness. And yet there is nature struggling to survive in every part of this teeming metropolis. Image: courtesy Marine Life of Mumbai

Spiders and the sea, (@spidersandthesea)This is a fun, Bengaluru-based account that tracks spiders, oceans, natural history and ecology, in addition to organising walks and trails for young people. Spellbinding images of nature and activities that are an eye-opener for city-dwellers looking for nature populate the feed. The aim is to use creative storytelling in an attempt to bridge the gap between humankind and nature. Image: courtesy: Spiders and the Sea 

Spiders and the sea, (@spidersandthesea)

This is a fun, Bengaluru-based account that tracks spiders, oceans, natural history and ecology, in addition to organising walks and trails for young people. Spellbinding images of nature and activities that are an eye-opener for city-dwellers looking for nature populate the feed. The aim is to use creative storytelling in an attempt to bridge the gap between humankind and nature. Image: courtesy: Spiders and the Sea 

Abhishek Jamalabad (@sea_coocoombr, marine biologistAbhishek Jamalabad’s Instagram feed is full of pretty polyps, corals, frogs, termites and a lot more. A self-described backyard explorer, Jamalabad is a marine biologist who studies marine mammals and fisheries while being an avid birder too. Image: courtesy Abhishek Jamalabad

Abhishek Jamalabad (@sea_coocoombr, marine biologist

Abhishek Jamalabad’s Instagram feed is full of pretty polyps, corals, frogs, termites and a lot more. A self-described backyard explorer, Jamalabad is a marine biologist who studies marine mammals and fisheries while being an avid birder too. Image: courtesy Abhishek Jamalabad

Prasenjeet Yadav (@prasen.yadav), natural history and science photographerA molecular ecologist-turned-photographer and explorer, Prasenjeet Yadav realised early on in his scientific career that his real passion lay in storytelling. His science background is evident in his approach to photo-making. His previous projects have highlighted climate change and its effects on the Himalayas, as well as the effects of windmills on the surrounding ecosystems, raising questions about how green our “green energy” actually is. He is a founder-member of 'Shoot for Science,' an initiative that trains scientists in science communication. Image: courtesy Prasenjeet Yadav 

Prasenjeet Yadav (@prasen.yadav), natural history and science photographer

A molecular ecologist-turned-photographer and explorer, Prasenjeet Yadav realised early on in his scientific career that his real passion lay in storytelling. His science background is evident in his approach to photo-making. His previous projects have highlighted climate change and its effects on the Himalayas, as well as the effects of windmills on the surrounding ecosystems, raising questions about how green our “green energy” actually is. He is a founder-member of 'Shoot for Science,' an initiative that trains scientists in science communication. Image: courtesy Prasenjeet Yadav 

Women of the Wild (@womenofthewildindia)This account tracks the untold stories of women who work as eco-warriors in the fields of nature and science in India. The aim is, of course, to inspire the future generations and highlight the work that is usually ignored. Image: courtesy Women of the Wild 

Women of the Wild (@womenofthewildindia)

This account tracks the untold stories of women who work as eco-warriors in the fields of nature and science in India. The aim is, of course, to inspire the future generations and highlight the work that is usually ignored. Image: courtesy Women of the Wild 

Neha Sinha (@nehaa_sinha), conservation biologistAuthor and conservation biologist, Neha Sinha says she is a “sucker for wildlife”. Sinha’s voice through newspaper columns, stories and on her Instagram feed, is a relentless catalogue of her passion for the earth and its myriad creatures. Image: courtesy Neha Sinha 

Neha Sinha (@nehaa_sinha), conservation biologist

Author and conservation biologist, Neha Sinha says she is a “sucker for wildlife”. Sinha’s voice through newspaper columns, stories and on her Instagram feed, is a relentless catalogue of her passion for the earth and its myriad creatures. Image: courtesy Neha Sinha 

Afroz Shah(@afrozshah_), lawyer, cleaner of beaches, UN champion of EarthA lawyer by profession, Afroz Shah is passionate about cleaning Mumbai’s beaches. Residing in the suburb of Versova, Shah is utterly relentless in his obsession for helping clean the city of Mumbai. Every weekend, he dons his gloves, gathers his volunteers and spends the hours accumulating garbage that no one else is willing to touch. His next plan is a far more ambitious one–to clean the Mithi River. Image: courtesy Afroz Shah 

Afroz Shah(@afrozshah_), lawyer, cleaner of beaches, UN champion of Earth

A lawyer by profession, Afroz Shah is passionate about cleaning Mumbai’s beaches. Residing in the suburb of Versova, Shah is utterly relentless in his obsession for helping clean the city of Mumbai. Every weekend, he dons his gloves, gathers his volunteers and spends the hours accumulating garbage that no one else is willing to touch. His next plan is a far more ambitious one–to clean the Mithi River. Image: courtesy Afroz Shah 

Pankti Pandey (@zerowastea, digital creator and scientistA self-described scientist, digital creator and social media influencer, Pankti Pandey’s Instagram feed is full of simple DIY tips and tricks that will help make your life more sustainable and environment-friendly. The turning point for Pandey occurred when she was expecting her child and reading about the disastrous effects of landfills and garbage. Her simple hacks propagate the new way of life. Image: courtesy Pankti Pandey

Pankti Pandey (@zerowastea, digital creator and scientist

A self-described scientist, digital creator and social media influencer, Pankti Pandey’s Instagram feed is full of simple DIY tips and tricks that will help make your life more sustainable and environment-friendly. The turning point for Pandey occurred when she was expecting her child and reading about the disastrous effects of landfills and garbage. Her simple hacks propagate the new way of life. Image: courtesy Pankti Pandey


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