Climate activist Ridhima Pandey joins protest against Kalasa-Banduri project
Belagavi: Internationally acclaimed climate activist Ridhima Pandey has joined the fight against the Kalasa-Banduri water diversion project. She will participate in a protest rally organised by various environmental outfits in Belagavi on Tuesday.
Since the beginning, environmental activists have opposed the felling of thousands of trees and the irreversible damage to the sensitive forest and environment caused by the implementation of both projects on the Mahadayi River. They also allege a conspiracy by industrial players to take away the Mahadayi water in the name of farmers.
With 17-year-old Ridhima Pandey joining the cause, the voice against the water diversion project has grown stronger.
Ridhima, who has been a passionate environmental advocate since the age of 9, is recognised globally for her courage, leadership, and relentless pursuit of climate justice. She has become a powerful voice for children and the planet on international platforms.
Ridhima's journey began in 2017 when she filed a petition against the govt of India for failing to fulfil its commitments under the Paris Agreement. She argued that while policies existed on paper, real action on the ground was missing.
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This landmark legal challenge made headlines and established her as one of the youngest climate litigants in the world.
In 2019, Ridhima joined 15 other children, including Greta Thunberg, in a historic lawsuit at the United Nations against five countries—Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, and Turkey—for violating the rights of children through inaction on climate change.
Ridhima is the president of Red Alert International Steering Committee – Save the Children (Asia Pacific) - Thematic Focal Point for Children's Affairs at CYMG for UNEP. She is also a council member of the Civil Society and Youth Advisory Council for COP26 and an ambassador of Mock COP26. Ridhima is also part of UN Women's '30 for 2030' Network.
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