They give her hope. Today, they’re more connected, informed, and equipped to save our planet than any generation before them. So, it’s no surprise that youth leadership is at the heart of the Jane Goodall Institute India.
Youth Leadership Council members sit on a variety of committees, run their own self-directed initiatives, and provide input on everything from programs to communications. New applicants are selected every year and can serve up to two years on the Council.
They are not the leaders of tomorrow. They are leading change today and we are incredibly proud of all of them.
India
2025
Environmental inequity, biodiversity loss, climate change, youth leadership, waste management, Sustainable Development Goals
Ria is a human rights lawyer based in Delhi with over five years experience working on climate justice, human rights, environmental crimes and fundamental freedoms. She works closely with women, youth and non-profits through strategic litigation, advocacy and research. Beyond the courtrooms, she has taken environmental advocacy to communities, particularly to youth by educating and empowering them about their human rights and access to justice in India. Furthermore, she has partake in innumerable training programs which has given her the expertise to conduct trainings with Swach Bharat, GARN, Asia Pro Bono (Philippines) and IUCN.
Ria’s expertise in organising, designing and facilitating youth advocacy projects as well as her ability to mobilise diverse stakeholders will be a pillar of opportunity to lead community development projects by equipping high school age students with legal tools and the information they need to assert their human and environmental rights.
Through JGII’s Roots and Shoots program, Ria aims to advocate for the importance of environmental justice and youth empowerment through campaigns, speaking events at local/national levels and on social media. This ‘Legal Empowerment Training on Environmental Justice in India’ project, she will develop resource toolkits and digital educational resources on environmental laws in layman terminology to make this vital information accessible to a younger public. Through this program, she is eager to harmonize how she can integrate human rights, social justice, climate action and community engagement in the design, development and deployment of youth movements with the hope of influencing practices and policies, both locally and nationally.
Srilekha B comes from a farming family in a small village in the Bellari district of Karnataka. She worked as a technical assistant in a tissue culture laboratory and aspires to be a geneticist. Rooted in the fertile grounds of agriculture, her father's dedication to farming has been a beacon of inspiration to contribute towards the agriculture sector.
Global food security is facing significant threats from changing climate patterns and Jane Goodall Institute India is willing to tackle these challenges head-on by empowering youth to lead innovative projects focused on climate action and environmental conservation. Srilekha’s goal is to promote sustainable agriculture that benefits social welfare for farmers, humanity and the environment. By joining the Youth Leadership Council, she has been given an excellent opportunity to continue to develop her expertise in social leadership from renowned professionals and network with like-minded colleagues towards a successful and sustainable future.
As a YLC member, she proposes to target agriculture-based districts in India, selecting two villages each month. In these rural villages, she will cultivate grassroot outreach programs for youth with farming communities entitled ‘Climate Action through Sustainable Agriculture’ by demonstrating the negative impacts of certain agricultural practices on greenhouse gas emissions to reduce air pollution caused by current agricultural methods. She aims to empower them to take action within their communities by ensuring that young people become active participants and environmental stewards to co-create a sustainable future by focusing on ethical, innovative and sustainable solutions that balance productivity with environmental conservation.
Coming from a violence-afflicted region in Manipur, India, Salew experienced first-hand how conflicts shaped communities, especially indigenous tribes like his. He developed a passion for Indigenous rights and their relationship with nature. He is in his final year of law school and has worked with leading lawyers at the Supreme Court of India particularly in the environmental-law framework, which included working with Shomona Khanna, who was the former Legal Advisor to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, on resource-extraction and criminalisation of indigenous people in their own forests.
He serves as part of the 12-selected global youth leaders cohort with Oxford Net Zero and British Standards Institution working on embedding 'equity' in Net Zero governance. This role is not just a position but a responsibility to ensure that the voices of the indigenous are heard. As an indigenous youth advocate, he served as a Youth Advisor with Being Initiative India for Youth Mental Health and with Terre des Hommes for the World Congress on Justice with Children Spain 2025. As a YECAP (Indigenous Cohort) Fellow engaged by UNDP Asia Pacific, Asia Indigenous People’s Pact Nagrika India Fellow, he is a voice for youth, climate activism and that of ‘Indigenous’ people.
As former Secretary for the GNLU Centre for Environment, Sustainability and Climate Justice, he is the perfect YLC candidate to return to his village and bring his community together and build a The Hub for Climate Action, Learning, and Community Dialogue (HUCALD) community library. He believes it is possible to tap into the community’s pool of ideas, talents and experiences to tackle complex issues like climate change by providing access to resources and bridging the generation gap. For example, a community-driven effort to promote sustainable agriculture could get traditional knowledge from village elders, modern techniques from younger people and shared labor to create a model that benefits everyone. This library is not just a book collection but the greater idea is to have a 'space' for young people, a space where they can direct climate action, a space to raise climate awareness to the students in the village, a space for dialogue and community-building, a space to hold nature-cultural narratives, and of course, a space to learn about nature.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in social development, Vihaan’s values were shaped by being exposed to careers impacting environmental conservation and women’s empowerment. He brings with him a unique perspective shaped by his exposure to grassroots challenges, a commitment to problem solving, and a strong sense of adaptability.
He is an engineering student driven by a passion for using management to create social impact. He has worked with the Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre and has been actively involved in science podcasts, making complex topics more engaging and accessible. Beyond academics, his curiosity extends to understanding how finance and management can be leveraged for meaningful societal change. Through JGII YLC, he hopes to contribute to bringing analytical and communication skills to drive impactful initiatives that bridge science, society, and policy.
Vihaan is particularly drawn to social entrepreneurship and ethical leadership by building models that generate revenue while creating a meaningful social impact and balancing profit with purpose. As a YLC member, he will assist the Cohort by helping members form alliances, capitalize on group strengths, and raise their voices.
Luja was born and brought up in Mungong Pather, a village on the border of the Kherjan Reserve Forest in Upper Assam, India. Growing up in such a rich natural environment, surrounded by forests and wildlife, she developed a passion for environmental conservation. Over time, she witnessed the degradation of these forests and the increasing human-wildlife conflict, which fueled her desire to make a difference in the conservation space. By combining education, hands-on initiatives, and community collaboration, she aims to involve individuals to take active roles in preserving the environment, creating a more sustainable and connected community.
With an undergraduate degree in Zoology from Digboi College, where she actively participated in field courses and community service through the National Service Scheme (NSS), she developed an interest in research and a conservation field course with Aaranyak (2018) which focused on primate distribution, human-wildlife conflict, and biodiversity research. She completed her Master’s in Life Sciences from Dibrugarh University in 2021, specializing in Fish Biology and Fisheries and is currently a Research Fellow at the Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS) in Bengaluru, focusing on human-gibbon relationships in Upper Assam. Her strong organizational and communication skills along with her experiences in field research, community engagement and wildlife conservation will allow her to contribute meaningfully to the YLC.
As a YLC member, Luja will foster youth engagement in environmental sustainability by creating a positive social impact and promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife. ‘Curiosity to Conservation: Fostering Coexistence Between People and Gibbons in Assam’ is a project aimed at promoting human-wildlife coexistence in rural areas, with a focus on the endangered western hoolock gibbon in Upper Assam. This project will involve active habitat restoration, designing and implementing sustainable tourism guidelines, establishing a Gibbon Ambassador Program and bringing awareness to local schools. Its aim is to bridge the gap between local communities and conservation efforts by promoting education, awareness, and practical solutions with the Moran community. Today, there is a need to address and facilitate the effect of deforestation, expansion of oil mining and monoculture plantations that have disrupted their natural habitats. By focusing on education and practical conservation methods, Luja believes we can work towards the gibbons’ survival while supporting the livelihoods of local people.
Arvind is a Research Analyst at The Institutional Architecture Lab. He possesses a strong foundation in sustainable development, policy analysis, and youth advocacy. His journey has been shaped by diverse professionals and academic experiences, such as leading climate action initiatives as a Climate Corps Fellow, working with communities as a Good Governance Associate and representing youth voices in global initiatives. Growing up in a flood-prone, marginalised region of India, he is motivated to work towards developing sustainable solutions that address environmental challenges and empower communities.
By joining YLC, he aims to contribute his professional expertise and passion toward designing and executing meaningful projects that align with JGI India’s vision for Climate Literacy. His project proposes to develop educational toolkits focusing on topics such as waste reduction, energy conservation, and biodiversity protection. These toolkits will include interactive lesson plans, multimedia content and hands-on activities to enrich JGII’s Roots & Shoots program and inspire a widespread shift toward sustainability, contributing to a more resilient and climate-conscious India.
His extensive experience in research, analytics, project design and implementation, as well as his ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and create actionable roadmaps will be of great value to the YLC Cohort. He will be able to assist in identifying gaps, propose evidence-based solutions, and implement measurable community initiatives that will strengthen the design and implementation for JGII’s impactful community-driven initiatives.
Suraj is currently a third-year undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Social Work (Hons) at Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, University of Delhi. Alongside his studies, he is actively engaged as the founder of "Voice of Youth", an NGO focusing on youth empowerment, mental health advocacy, and community development. Through his role, he has led various community-based programs, collaborated with stakeholders, and contributed to initiatives aligned with sustainable development goals.
His work is deeply rooted in addressing systemic challenges through community-driven programs and sustainable practices and joined the Youth Leadership Council as he believes in the transformative power of youth leadership in tackling global challenges. He looks forward to collaborating with like-minded peers, and contributing to impactful projects aligned with Jane Goodall Institute India’s mission to address the SDG’s Climate Action, Biodiversity Conservation, and Quality Education.
Suraj envisions fostering climate resilience in underserved communities by integrating environmental education with grassroots action. His project focused on "Youth-led Climate Education and Action" in underserved communities, aiming to build resilience and promote sustainable practices. The project would provide youth with the knowledge and skills to address environmental challenges, such as waste management, water conservation, and climate adaptation.
Rakshita is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Tech in Aerospace Engineering and has always been an enthusiastic animal and humanity activist. She considers herself one of the few who are privileged enough to give their voice to those innocent creatures, who know only love. Since her childhood, she has looked up to Jane Goodall and has always dreamed to live a life for a purpose greater than herself, that of helping animals and humanity.
Her grandmother would say,, "If you want to live, live for others". This life teaching of love and empathy is what she is bringing to the YLC. A will to work and take action by being the change she wants to see in society. Often rescuing injured animals on the road, she is not afraid to get her hands dirty. On the contrary, she takes pride in being that vehicle of change to those who cannot help themselves. A vehicle of change is just what she aspires to create, 'Education on Wheels' for underprivileged communities which' aims to bring hope and opportunity to children living under flyover bridges and in slums, who are deprived of the privilege of formal education.
Sai is a dual MSc student specializing in Environmental Science and Ecology, with a focus on Ecological Informatics. His academic and professional journey is deeply rooted in leveraging technology and data-driven solutions to address pressing environmental challenges. He has over four years experience working on sustainable livelihood and natural resource governance, with a particular emphasis on coastal and fisheries-related ecosystems.
His motivation to join YLC stems from its mission to empower young change-makers in building a sustainable and equitable future. He is inspired by YLC's collaborative and interdisciplinary approach which aligns perfectly with his vision of addressing ecological issues through innovative, scalable solutions. He brings a unique blend of skills to YLC, including expertise in data analytics, machine learning, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). He has applied these tools to projects such as analyzing human-wildlife conflicts, designing integrated safety devices for fishermen and optimizing hydroponics systems. His leadership experience includes spearheading innovation-focused initiatives, representing his institution in competitions and mentoring teams.
Sai believes in the power of community-driven action and is adept at engaging stakeholders, fostering partnerships, and delivering outcomes that balance environmental sustainability with economic viability. By promoting community-driven solutions to mitigate human-wildlife conflict in urban and rural areas, Sai proposes to implement a comprehensive awareness and action program called "Coexistence in Harmony". The project will focus on creating safe coexistence practices in urban spaces while enhancing green infrastructure.
Using data to develop tailored conflict mitigation strategies, he hopes to establish youth-led action groups to advocate for coexistence, implement preventive measures, and act as a bridge between the community and authorities. By combining education, technology, and grassroots involvement, this initiative will create a ripple effect, fostering coexistence and reducing conflicts. This change would not only protect wildlife but also strengthen community resilience and awareness for future challenges.
Zainab Saria is a marine biologist from Mumbai, with a passion for ocean conservation and shark science. Her journey included internships at the Bimini Biological Field Station and Minorities in Shark Sciences, as well as collaborations with the Jane Goodall Institute India for the "Oceans Are Us" initiative. She specializes in developing creative educational content, such as illustrations and workshops, to inspire action for marine ecosystems. Her goal is to build stronger connections between ocean conservation and youth-led environmental movements.
She envisions increasing awareness in India about the ocean and its wildlife through innovative and engaging methods. Despite India’s rich biodiversity and extensive coastline, public understanding of marine ecosystems and wildlife conservation remains limited. Being a part of the YLC, provides her with a platform to achieve this goal. Zainab proposes to set-up dynamic stalls at festivals and universities with engaging activities such as interactive games and artistic displays highlighting biodiversity. Visitors could participate in hands-on activities like upcycling workshops or pledge walls where they commit to conservation actions. Collaborating with local artists, educators, and NGOs can make these events more impactful, combining science, storytelling, creativity for community-based conservation efforts.
Zainab is deeply committed to environmental conservation and has practical experience in wildlife rescue, marine research, and public outreach. Her background in creating educational content, combined with her leadership in organizing events, will be a meaningful asset to YLC. She is passionate about using creativity and collaboration to drive awareness and change. Her diverse skill set in project management, communication, and problem-solving will amplify youth voices and foster impactful solutions to global conservation challenges.