Chami Murmu is an environmental activist from Saraikela Kharsawan in Jharkhand, who has been selected for this year’s Padma Shri award.
Chami Murmu has planted more than 28 lakh trees in more than 500 villages. Her journey as an environmental activist began in 1988.
Chami said villagers were cutting trees for cooking fuel, “I could see vast tracts of barren land in my area and started planting trees.”
In 1996, she faced a major setback as she planted over 1 lakh saplings but the men in the village destroyed all of it. Culprits were later arrested.
Chami has formed 2,800 Self Help Groups, secured bank loans and credits for 30,000 women members to start their own businesses.
Her NGO has pioneered initiatives for safe motherhood, combatting anemia and malnutrition, and prioritising the education of adolescent girls.
In 2000, the government recognised her efforts and awarded her the ‘Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Puraskar’.