Supriya Sahu, a senior Tamil Nadu IAS officer, has won the UN’s highest environmental award, the Champions of the Earth 2025. Known for her pioneering initiatives in environmental conservation, climate resilience, and public welfare, she has played a transformative role in sustainable development in Tamil Nadu. Her work spans forest restoration, community-driven projects, and large-scale climate-smart programs.
Who is Supriya Sahu?
Supriya Sahu is a 1991-batch IAS officer from Tamil Nadu. She has served in multiple senior administrative roles, including Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, as well as Health and Family Welfare. Supriya Sahu has garnered recognition both nationally and internationally for her contributions to public administration and environmental policy.
Supriya Sahu IAS Batch
She belongs to the 1991 batch of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and has held key leadership positions in both the state and central government.
Supriya Sahu Net Worth
There is no publicly available information on Supriya Sahu’s personal net worth. As a government official, her earnings are based on the official IAS pay scale.
Supriya Sahu Husband Name
Public information does not disclose details about her spouse.
Supriya Sahu, IAS Native
She hails from Tamil Nadu, where she has spent most of her administrative career.
Supriya Sahu Age
Born on 27 July 1968, she is currently 57 years old.
Supriya Sahu UN Honour
Supriya Sahu has been awarded the UN Champions of the Earth 2025, the highest environmental recognition by the United Nations, for her outstanding contributions to ecological restoration, climate resilience, and environmental governance in India.
Supriya Sahu Early Life
Her early life laid the foundation for her career in public service, emphasizing education, civic responsibility, and environmental awareness.
Supriya Sahu Career
Sahu’s career highlights include:
- Doordarshan Director-General: Increased revenue to ₹827.51 crore in 2016–17 and launched educational and science-focused channels like DD Science and DD Roshni.
- INDCOSERVE Managing Director: Led initiatives to enhance income for 30,000 small tea growers, promoted organic farming, and launched ‘Tea Vandis’ for tribal communities.
- Vellore District Additional Collector and TANSACS Project Director: Pioneered HIV/TB integration programs and sensitized law enforcement on marginalized communities.
- Central Government: Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Co-Vice President and Acting President of the Asian Broadcasting Union.
Supriya Sahu Current Role
Currently, Sahu is the Additional Chief Secretary, Tamil Nadu, leading the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, and spearheading large-scale ecological and climate resilience programs.
Supriya Sahu UN’s Highest Environmental Honour: Champions of the Earth 2025
The UNEP Champions of the Earth Award 2025 recognises her work in ecological restoration, forest expansion, coastal ecosystem conservation, and climate-smart village initiatives. She has led the plantation of over 108 million trees, restored 3,610 hectares of mangroves, and established India’s first Dugong Conservation Reserve.
Why was Supriya Sahu awarded UN’s highest environmental honour?
The award acknowledges her leadership in:
- Creating over 7,000 hectares of new Reserve Forests.
- Establishing seven new wildlife sanctuaries, including Dugong Conservation Reserve.
- Planting over 108 million trees and restoring 3,610 hectares of mangroves.
- Pioneering community-based conservation programs and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Supriya Sahu Key Works & Initiatives
Her key initiatives include:
- Operation Blue Mountain: Eliminating plastics in Nilgiris, restoring rivers, and planting tens of thousands of trees.
- Green Tamil Nadu Mission: Ecological restoration and climate resilience programs.
- Eco-tourism and tribal employment programs: Training over 200 tribal youth as eco-guides.
- Endangered Species Conservation Fund: ₹50 crore fund protecting species like Nilgiri Tahr and Slender Loris.
Important Environmental Initiatives in Tamil Nadu
- Promotion of solar energy and wastewater reuse in villages
- Grassroots climate-smart village programs
- Campaign Meendum Manjapai to reduce plastic usage
- Sustainable Cooling and Climate Resilience
Supriya Sahu has prioritized programs on sustainable cooling, climate adaptation, and capacity building, including mentorship for women to lead local environmental initiatives.
Supriya Sahu Media & Broadcasting Roles
Supriya Sahu has significantly influenced India’s media and broadcasting sector. She served as Director-General of Doordarshan from July 2016 to September 2017, turning around the state-run broadcaster. Under her leadership, Doordarshan recorded ₹827.51 crore revenue in FY 2016–17, launched channels like DD Science and India Science, expanded Digital Terrestrial Transmission (DTT), and proposed an OTT platform to reach a wider audience.
She strengthened Community Radio in India, getting it included in the 12th Five-Year Plan, promoting annual conclaves and publications, and engaging communities in broadcasting initiatives. Internationally, she was elected Co-Vice President and Acting President of the Asian Broadcasting Union, representing India at the Asia-Pacific level
Supriya Sahu: The INDCOSERVE
As Managing Director of The Tamil Nadu Small Tea Growers’ Industrial Cooperative Tea Factories’ Federation Limited (INDCOSERVE), Sahu helped boost incomes for nearly 30,000 small tea growers. She introduced initiatives like Tea Vandis, new tea brands (Nilgiris Kahwa Tea, Ooty Gold Tea), and Scope Certification for organic farming. Her efforts led to profitability and greater market recognition for cooperative tea producers.
Supriya Sahu: Doordarshan
During her tenure as DG, Sahu implemented new programming such as DD Roshni, Mahila Kisan Awards, and the Kashmiri version of KBC, Kus Bani Koshur Karorpaet. She focused on scientific and educational programming, attracting viewers while increasing revenue.
Supriya Sahu: Community Radio
Sahu strengthened India’s Community Radio movement, enabling stations to gain recognition and support. She promoted annual National Community Radio Sammelans, publications, and expanded public engagement with local broadcasting initiatives.
Supriya Sahu: HIV/ AIDS and Tuberculosis
As Project Director of Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society, Sahu initiated integrated TB and HIV testing programmes, provided services to private maternity hospitals, and supported orphaned and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She also sensitized police on LGBTQ+ issues to ensure inclusion in public health interventions.
Supriya Sahu: Operation Blue Mountain Campaign
In the Nilgiris, Supriya Sahu led the Operation Blue Mountain campaign, which banned plastic and restored rivers and natural springs. She organized a Guinness World Record by planting 42,182 trees and implemented environmental conservation initiatives that became a model for governance and sustainability.
