Indian environmentalist Sunita Narain got a special mention in Prince William’s Platinum Jublee tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. 

The Duke of Cambridge, in his speech on Saturday night, recognised “the monumental and pioneering work of so many visionary environmentalists”.

Also read: Rare planetary alignment to be seen in June nightsky

“I think of Rachel Carson from America, Wangari Maathai from Kenya, Sunita Narain from India and so many others. While no one’s grandmother thanks them for talking about their age, my own grandmother has been alive for nearly a century. In that time, mankind has benefited from unimaginable technological developments and scientific breakthroughs,” he said. 

He also reflected on some of his grandmother’s comments about the environment throughout her 70-year reign. 

Also read: On World Environment Day, India acts on a COP26 promise

“It’s my firm hope that my grandmother’s words are as true in seventy years’ time as they are tonight that as nations we come together in common cause, because then there is always room for hope.”

Prince William was speaking during the ‘Our Green Planet’ section, which featured an introduction from Sir David Attenborough. His address was followed by Prince Charles, who paid tribute to his mother’s “lifetime of selfless service”.

Also read: World Environment Day: Ways to make your kitchen eco-friendly

Who is Sunita Narain?

A Delhi-based environmentalist, Sunita Narain has been propogating the ‘Green concept of sustainable development’ for decades. She is the current director of Centre for Science and Environment (cseIndia), a reseach organisation, heads the Society for Environmental Communications and is the editor of the fortnightly magazine, Down To Earth. The 61-year-old was named in Time Magazine’s list of 100 Most Influential People in 2016. 

Also read: In worsening environmental conditions, sustainable living is key

Narain is also a writer. She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Indian government in 2005. The 61-year-old was awarded the World Water Prize for her work on rainwater harvesting and community based water management. At the direction of the Prime Minister that year, she chaired the Tiger Task Force. 

Sunita Narain was a member of the Prime Minister’s Council for Climate Change as well as the National Ganga River Basin Authority.