Odisha’s Rahul Maharana Honored with National Youth Award for Mangrove Conservation and Beach Cleanup Efforts

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Rahul Maharana, a young environmental crusader from Ambadiha village in Khurda district, was among the 24 recipients of the National Youth Awards for 2021-22 and 2022-23. Union Youth Affairs & Sports Minister Mansukh Mandviya conferred the awards in New Delhi on Thursday, recognizing the contributions of young individuals towards nation-building and social service.

Rahul, who won the award for 2022-23, has been actively engaged in plastic waste cleanup, mangrove restoration, biodiversity preservation, and community awareness programs in the coastal districts of Odisha. His unwavering commitment to environmental conservation has earned him widespread recognition, including praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Mann Ki Baat radio address in March 2022. The PM lauded Rahul’s efforts to clean up litter and waste near Astaranga beach in Puri district and the surrounding mangrove ecosystem.

Despite working as a security guard with a private company in Bhubaneswar, Rahul has been dedicated to his mission since 2018. His journey began when he visited Astaranga with friends and was appalled by the amount of plastic waste in the area. Determined to make a difference, he started collecting trash every Sunday, carrying a gunny bag on his back. Over the years, he has expanded his efforts to other locations, including Pir Jahania beach and Rushikulya beach, collecting thousands of kilograms of non-degradable waste from coastal and mangrove areas.

In January 2022, he launched a focused campaign to clean the Devi estuary and nearby beach areas, single-handedly collecting over 1,000 kg of waste. His work has not only helped preserve the fragile mangrove ecosystem but also raised awareness about environmental responsibility in the local community.

Rahul’s parents have been his biggest supporters, and he hopes that more people will join his initiative.