Globally renowned Indian climate and environmental activist Licypriya Kangujam (14), from Manipur, was honoured today by Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala, at the inauguration ceremony of the Haritha Keralam National Environment Summit 2026, organised by the Government of Kerala. The ceremony was held at Uday Palace, Thiruvananthapuram.
The event was attended by Kerala’s Excise Minister M. B. Rajesh, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad, Education Minister V. Sivankutty, Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal, Members of Parliament Shashi Tharoor and A. A. Rahim, Chief Secretary A. Jayathilak, IAS, along with MLAs and senior bureaucrats of the Government of Kerala. Several dignitaries appreciated Licypriya’s relentless efforts in raising global awareness and advocating action against the climate crisis.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Licypriya Kangujam share a long-standing association dating back to the 2018 Kerala floods, when Licypriya visited the Chief Minister’s Office and donated Rs. 1 lakh from her personal savings to support affected children and families. In the same year, both also participated in the United Nations Disaster Conference 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. The Chief Minister acknowledged her consistent grassroots work and contributions towards advancing India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.
Over the years, Licypriya has played a meaningful role in contributing ideas and advocacy efforts aligned with the Kerala Government’s vision of Net Zero Carbon Kerala, a key component of the Haritha Keralam Mission. She has often stated that her journey as a climate activist is deeply rooted in her early engagement and inspiration from Kerala.
Speaking to the media, Licypriya expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Kerala, particularly the Haritha Keralam Mission, for recognising her work. She emphasized that meaningful engagement of young people in decision-making processes is essential for creating sustainable, climate-friendly development policies. She also thanked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for the honour conferred upon her.
While appreciating Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving Net Zero India by 2060 and India’s growing global leadership on climate action, Licypriya expressed concern over the continued exploitation of forests for coal, oil, and gas extraction. She urged governments to prioritise the protection of indigenous communities and fragile ecosystems in all development decisions.