Kinkri Devi: An Unique Voice In Environmental Activism
Kinkri Devi was a courageous Dalit Indian activist and environmentalist who defied all odds at a period when there was no social media, little press coverage, and little public interest in environmental issues. She was one of those people who had a strong bond with her motherland and the environment. After fighting powerful, politically influential mining giants in her home region, her name and work came to limelight. Kinkri Devi could not read or write, but built a reputation for herself through her dedication to environmental conservation. Kinkri Devi’s tale and her fight against illegal mining offers a lot of lessons for today’s generation. Early life and contributions Kinkri Devi was born in the hamlet of Gathon, in the Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh in 1925. Her father was a Dalit farmer, and her childhood years were difficult. Ms. Devi began working as a domestic worker in her early childhood because she had little chance of getting an education. At the age of 14, she marri...