# Sunita Narain > Indian environmentalist **Wikidata**: [Q2722841](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2722841) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunita_Narain) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sunita-narain ## Summary Sunita Narain is an Indian environmentalist and political activist known for her work in environmental policy and advocacy. She serves as the director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a prominent Indian not-for-profit organization focused on environmental issues. ## Biography - Born: 1961 (exact date not specified in source) - Nationality: Indian - Education: Educated at University of Delhi - Known for: Environmental advocacy and policy work in India - Employer(s): Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) - Field(s): Environmentalism, natural environment, political activism ## Contributions Sunita Narain has made significant contributions to environmental advocacy in India through her leadership at the Centre for Science and Environment. She has been instrumental in shaping environmental policy discussions and raising awareness about environmental issues in India. Her work has influenced both public discourse and policy-making related to environmental protection and sustainable development. ## FAQs What is Sunita Narain's primary role? Sunita Narain serves as the director general of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), where she leads environmental research and advocacy efforts in India. What organization does Sunita Narain lead? She leads the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an Indian not-for-profit organization founded in 1980 that focuses on environmental issues and sustainable development. What are Sunita Narain's main areas of work? Her work primarily focuses on environmentalism, natural environment issues, and political activism related to environmental policy in India. ## Why They Matter Sunita Narain matters because she has been a leading voice in Indian environmental advocacy for decades, influencing both public opinion and policy decisions. Through her work at CSE, she has helped bring environmental issues to the forefront of national discourse and has contributed to the development of more sustainable policies in India. Her leadership has made CSE one of the most respected environmental organizations in the country. ## Notable For - Director General of Centre for Science and Environment since its founding in 1980 - Recipient of the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award - Recipient of the Edinburgh Medal for scientific contributions - Recipient of the Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Women Mediaperson - Honorary doctorate from the University of Calcutta ## Body ### Early Life and Education Sunita Narain was born in 1961 in India. She received her education at the University of Delhi, though specific details about her degrees or field of study are not provided in the source material. ### Career at Centre for Science and Environment Narain has been associated with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) since its inception on August 18, 1980. She currently serves as the director general of this Indian not-for-profit organization headquartered in New Delhi. CSE focuses on environmental issues and sustainable development, and under Narain's leadership, it has become one of India's most influential environmental research and advocacy organizations. ### Environmental Advocacy Work As an environmentalist and political activist, Narain has worked extensively on environmental policy issues in India. Her work spans multiple areas including natural environment conservation and broader environmental movement goals. She has been particularly active in bringing environmental concerns to the attention of policymakers and the public. ### Recognition and Awards Narain's contributions to environmental work have been recognized through several prestigious awards. She received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, though the specific year is not mentioned in the source. She was also awarded the Edinburgh Medal, a scientific medal given at the Edinburgh International Science Festival, which was established in 1989. Additionally, she received the Chameli Devi Jain Award for Outstanding Women Mediaperson in 1980, recognizing her contributions to environmental journalism and communication. ### Academic Recognition In recognition of her contributions to environmental science and advocacy, Narain was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Calcutta, though the specific year of this honor is not provided in the source material. ### Professional Identity According to Wikidata and other structured data sources, Narain is classified as a human (Homo sapiens), an entrepreneur, a political activist, and an environmentalist. She holds Indian citizenship and is affiliated with the University of Delhi as an educational institution she attended. Her work spans fields including environmentalism, natural environment issues, and political activism. ### Digital Presence Sunita Narain maintains a digital presence across various platforms. She has social media accounts including Twitter (username: sunitanar) and maintains a presence on Facebook. Her work and contributions are documented across multiple knowledge bases and databases, including Wikidata, where she has numerous identifiers and properties associated with her profile. ### Impact on Environmental Movement Through her work at CSE and her broader advocacy efforts, Narain has significantly influenced the environmental movement in India. She has helped bridge the gap between scientific research, policy-making, and public awareness on environmental issues. Her leadership has positioned CSE as a key player in shaping environmental discourse and policy in India over the past four decades. ## References 1. Virtual International Authority File 2. Catalog of the German National Library 3. BnF authorities 4. Czech National Authority Database 5. [Source](https://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/sunita-narain-presented-chameli-devi-jain-award_209375.html) 6. International Standard Name Identifier 7. CiNii Research 8. [Source](https://www.cseindia.org/page/sunita-narain)