"It goes beyond duty", he says. "Instead of business as usual, the idea that I should contribute to my city keeps me enjoying my work." Every morning Mangesh Dighe wakes up with enthusiasm and zeal for the upliftment of his city. At fifty-one, he is the Environment Officer at the Pune Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra. His work ethic goes beyond just a take-charge attitude.

The world may be obsessed with the latest technology. But, an individual from Uttarakhand had a vision to power the future with a blast from the past. Meet Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, founder of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO). He is affectionately known as the 'Mountain Man' for working with rural Himalayan communities towards sustainable development and economic independence.

Behind every superhero is a jaw-dropping origin story. Similarly, we sat down with four local community members to learn more about their journey to becoming tiger protectors. Chanderpal, Vipin, Satish and Tapas from different parts of India share their tiger tales and rousing encounter with a tiger that changed their perspective and lives forever!

Led by scores of grassroots leaders and their organisations, a subtle change is sweeping across India. A graduate in Social Work from Bareilly College, Praveen Bhandari of Asha Samuh is one such leader. Praveen and her Self Help Group (SHG), Asha Samuh are associated with WWF India as a Ramganga Mitra (friend of the river Ramganga). She raises community awareness about the conservation of the river Ramganga — a tributary of Ganga, waste management, environmental protection, but also women/girl child’s education and economic empowerment.

Your period doesn't have to be taboo; ask 21-year-old environment lover Rushali Khilrani. At the Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women, she runs an initiative called Menorganic. She manages a team of 50 women. Her venture promotes eco-friendly menstrual cups, biodegradable sanitary pads, reusable period underpants, and cloth pads. Being in an all-girls college has not limited her endeavour to spread awareness among women.

They say it takes a village to raise kids or save a stork! Such is the inspiring story of Dr. Purnima Devi Barman, who did both with much dedication and fondness. Ahead of International Women’s Day, Dr. Barman encourages all women to follow their passion. Give it all in, and the results will sparkle! Follow your unique trail and empower others as she says fondly.

It is easy to love nature – who would not love a peaceful stream, or the smell of pine trees on a mountainside, or the breathtaking beauty of a tiger? But it is quite a different person who loves ‘nature’ enough to get their hands dirty for her.

Her childhood had all the makings of a future environmentalist. Sakshi M Krishna felt she was not being heard enough from a tender age. Now the 23-year-old realises she has a voice and yearns to reach out to the masses.

Pradip Patade, a native of Mumbai, takes a tremendous interest in the vast unexplored marine life in the city. Seen mostly chatting with fishers and trawlers on the shore of Mumbai, the 59-year-old made a career switch that would later change his life forever.

Meet Adhrit Pradeep, a 9-year-old environment enthusiast and child prodigy from Bengaluru, India. He is also one of this year’s WWF Conservation Heroes. He says his hope for the planet is that “everything on Earth that is not water becomes green!”