Our phone call to Bandu Dhotre, founder of environmental NGO Eco Pro, is answered within two rings, but the voice at the other end sounds like it could do with some rest. Turns out, Dhotre is, in fact, on a hospital bed. It’s day 10 of his hunger strike to save Ramala, the last remaining lake in Chandrapur in eastern Maharashtra, and his condition has been progressively deteriorating. “But, I’m better now. I should be discharged soon.”

Bandu Dhotre (centre) on a hunger strike with fellow members of Eco Pro