Medha was born on 1 Dec 1954 in Mumbai. Her father, Vasant was a labor union leader and her mother, Indumati fought for India's freedom from the British.
Before becoming a social worker, she studied science at Ruia College, Mumbai. Then she completed her masters in Social Work from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).
What is Activism?
Activism starts by noticing something unfair is happening.
Activism tries to make change in society or to stop change in society.
Forms of activism range from rallies, marches, strikes, sit ins, hunger strikes, or writing letters to politicians (people in power, that make big decisions)
Why was This an Issue?
The construction of the dam was seen as a problem by Medha because hundreds of native people lived next to and relied on river for survival. The dam increases the risk of that soil will be washed away, land degradation, and the loss of habitat for animals. The creation of the dam would flood the neighboring communities forcing the people to move.
Land Degration: Land degradation is a process in which the value of the environment is affected by a combination of human activity acting upon the land. It is viewed as any change or disturbance to the land seen to be undesirable. (not appealing)