Jamshedpur’s Rinku Pal Wins ‘Young Climate Champion’ Award at Earth Care Awards 2026

Jamshedpur: Twenty-two-year-old environmental activist Rinku Pal from Jamshedpur has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Young Climate Champion’ award at the 13th Earth Care Awards 2026 held in Mumbai.

Rinku Pal received the award in recognition of his outstanding contribution towards environmental conservation, climate awareness, and grassroots community engagement in Jamshedpur and surrounding areas. During the ceremony, he was presented with a memento along with a cash prize of ₹50,000.

Recognition for Grassroots Climate Action

The Earth Care Awards recognise individuals, organisations, and innovators working towards solutions to combat climate change and promote sustainability.

Rinku’s efforts in mobilising youth participation and creating awareness on clean air, waste management, and environmental responsibility earned him national recognition at this year’s event.

His work is being seen as a strong example of emerging grassroots leadership from Jharkhand.

Active Member of ‘Vayu Veer’ Network

Rinku Pal is an active member of the ‘Vayu Veer’ network, an initiative focused on promoting clean air awareness in Jamshedpur.

Through the platform, he has been working extensively on campaigns related to air pollution awareness, waste management, sanitation, and climate education.

Officials said Rinku also uses digital storytelling and technology-driven outreach methods to connect with young people, particularly from vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Campaigns That Earned National Recognition

Over the past year, Rinku has participated in several impactful environmental campaigns across the city.

These include the “A Month in My Life” initiative, awareness campaigns on air pollution under the Vayu Veer network, and the Beldihgram Sanitation Campaign in Sonari.

Success in Air Quality Monitoring Advocacy

The Vayu Veer network has consistently advocated for better public access to air quality information in Jamshedpur.

According to organisers, sustained campaigns and community engagement efforts helped draw the attention of the district administration towards strengthening air quality monitoring systems in the city.

As a result, additional monitoring systems, LED display boards, and public communication facilities are now scheduled for installation.

Jury and Organisers Praise Community Leadership

Speaking during the awards ceremony, jury member Dr. Ajay Mathur stated that climate action is increasingly being driven by individuals, communities, and institutions working at the grassroots level.

He noted that such initiatives demonstrate how citizens are taking proactive action because they recognise the urgency of environmental challenges.

JSW Foundation Chairperson Sangita Jindal said the awards aim to honour innovators and community leaders who are creating practical solutions and driving meaningful climate action at the grassroots level.