Priya Lata

A visionary environmental engineer revolutionizing waste management in rural India through community-driven solutions

About Priya Lata

Priya Lata (b. 1989) is an Indian environmental engineer and social entrepreneur whose work has fundamentally transformed waste management practices in rural regions of India. Since launching her initiative Eco Villages in 2020, she has developed scalable systems that convert agricultural waste into valuable resources, directly impacting over 500 villages across six states.

Innovative Solutions

Lata's breakthrough came with the invention of the Bhoo Kalpataru Machine, a low-cost device that transforms crop residues into organic fertilizers and biogas. This technology reduces methane emissions from open field burning while providing farmers with sustainable income streams. Her 2022 study published in the Green Matter Journal demonstrated a 300% increase in crop yields for participating farmers.

Community Empowerment

Beyond technical innovation, Lata prioritizes community engagement through her Rural Tech Academies. These programs train women as waste management technicians, creating 12,000+ jobs by 2023. Her partnership with UNDP's Sustainable Agriculture Initiative has expanded her model to Nepal and Bangladesh.

Global Recognition

In 2024, Lata received the Green Globe Award for her contributions to climate action. Her TEDx talk "From Waste to Wealth" has garnered over 2 million views. Current projects include developing AI-driven waste sorting systems tailored for informal settlements.