Call it a sign of the times - as pollution, global warming, water crises and humanityâs constant greed for resources have risen, so have several key figures in politics, research and especially entertainment taken a stand to raise awareness and fight against the degradation of our planet.

It isnât just Hollywood A-listers at work though - closer to home, several Indian actors have wholeheartedly used their wealth and influence to make the environment a priority both in their personal lives as well their social outreach. Here are six of the most dedicated of the lot.

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Preferring to start at the grassroot level, Kumar has believed that cultivating a green mindset must begin at schools - hence his work with The Energy and Research Institute (TERI) focused on educating children through workshops, books and training exercises to develop a sense of responsibility and care towards the environment. 

Aside from this, the actor has taken on films such as Toilet: Ek Prem Katha which promote environmentally healthy practices as well - along with generous donations to wildlife conservation efforts such as for Kazirangaâs famous one-horned rhinos.

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Ever since 2013, the actor has limited himself to a single film per year, focusing the rest of his efforts on social causes and environmentalism. Along with film producer & wife Kiran Rao, the duo set up Paani Foundation - a water conservation NGO on a mission to help the villages of Maharashtra from droughts. 

They not only got down to working on the fields themselves but also helped safeguard the villagers' and environmentâs future by educating people on how to tackle and avoid the issue of drought in their villages. To date, the organisation has pulled in over 4,000 villages across the state - helping them become self reliant and drought-free.

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Asserting that environmentalism must begin at home, the actor asserts that âeven at home, Kajol and I make sure we do not misuse resources like water and electricity. I feel environmental awareness should just be common sense.â

Heâs also put in the groundwork for several key environmental projects, such as supporting the World Wildlife Fund through donations while simultaneously investing in a massive solar park in Charanaka, Gujarat. Over the years, this initial fund has helped contribute to providing clean power to the district - an initial output of 25 megawatts has now become over 625 megawatts through the years.

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Long-known for his commitment to maintaining one of Indiaâs fittest bodies on the platform of vegetarianism, Abrahamâs philosophy towards the environment has resulted in partnerships with PETA and Habitat for Humanity. The former of which has led to awareness ad campaigns where the actor modelled in support of leaving animals uncaged.

Back in 2013, the actor even wrote letters addressed to the Ministry of Environment and Forests - urging them to ban the horrific treatment of animals in Indiaâs circus trade.

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Named after her grandfather, Panagâs Colonel Shamsher Singh Foundation addresses basic sanitation, waste disposal and effective employment of natural energy resources - along with volunteering and donation drives that the actress helped promote and bring into schools and other social spaces.

While the foundation has done some commendable work in championing environmentalism and other important causes, Panagâs philosophy towards green living begins at home. Back in 2012, the actress along with husband, pilot Rishi Attari, began work on their solar and wind powered home on the outskirts of Pune - which had such a low carbon footprint it was eventually certified by TERI Griha, Indiaâs rating system for environmental home certification.

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Back in 2017, Mirza was appointed UN Environmental Goodwill Ambassador for India - a role that has seen her speak on the world stage, championing the cause of climate change movements, anti-pollution initiatives and more.

Closer home, sheâs been a regular at organising cleanup drives on Mumbaiâs Juhu & Mahim beaches - promoting the avoidance of single-use plastic, a cause which Maharashtra went on to enforce and promote as an example to other states.

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