From Sea to Soil: Two Grassroots Women Win the Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for Protecting India's Environment

Two Women, Two Missions, One Greener IndiaOne protects the ocean from deadly plastic traps. The other nurtures the soil with sustainable farming practices.Together, P. Pechiyammal of Ramanathapuram and Govindhammal of Villupuram have demonstrated how grassroots action can create lasting environmental change. Their remarkable efforts were recognised with the Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection 2026, celebrating individuals who work tirelessly to safeguard nature while uplifting their communities.The prestigious award, presented by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in collaboration with CavinKare Pvt. Ltd. and the Rotary Club of Madras East (RI District 3234), honours unsung environmental champions whose work reflects the vision of agricultural scientist Dr. M.S. Swaminathan, often hailed as the father of India's Green Revolution.Saving Oceans, One Ghost Net at a TimeFor Pechiyammal, protecting the environment began with a simple yet powerful act—collecting discarded fishing gear from the shores and waters of Ramanathapuram.Abandoned fishing nets, nylon ropes and plastic waste, often called "ghost gear," continue trapping fish, turtles and other marine life long after they have been discarded. By leading community efforts to remove these hazardous materials, Pechiyammal has helped reduce marine pollution while protecting fragile coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs.Reflecting on her recognition, she admitted she never imagined that collecting waste from the seashore would one day bring her to Chennai to receive a national award.Transforming Farming Through SustainabilityWhile Pechiyammal focused on the sea, Govindhammal transformed livelihoods on land.A farmer from Villupuram, she has championed sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, encouraging practices that improve soil health, conserve natural resources and enhance productivity.She has also played a key role in strengthening Farmer Producer Companies (FPOs), enabling small farmers to access better-quality seeds, improve cultivation methods and secure fair prices for their produce.Once dependent entirely on uncertain rainfall, Govindhammal says her community now enjoys greater resilience and improved incomes through collective action and sustainable farming.Celebrating Unsung Environmental HeroesSpeaking at the ceremony, Virendra Tiwari, Chairman of the National Biodiversity Authority, stressed the importance of balancing development with biodiversity conservation. He praised the awardees for demonstrating that environmental protection and community welfare can go hand in hand.Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of MSSRF, noted that the award now specifically honours grassroots changemakers whose dedication often goes unnoticed. She highlighted that both fishing and farming are challenging livelihoods, yet these women chose to protect nature simply because they believed it was the right thing to do.A Legacy Rooted in the 'Evergreen Revolution'The Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Award for Environment Protection recognises individuals and organisations working in areas such as marine conservation, biodiversity protection, sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. More than just an award, it celebrates the idea of an "Evergreen Revolution"—Dr. Swaminathan's vision of increasing agricultural productivity while conserving natural resources for future generations.Through their inspiring work, Pechiyammal and Govindhammal have shown that meaningful environmental change often begins at the grassroots—with ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the planet.