Social and environmental worker, Shivaji Kaganikar, from Belagavi, inaugurated two-day international environment film festival — Kirloskar Vasundhara International Film Festival and he was also presented the Vasundhara Sanman for his work since 1972 he has been involved in various rural development activities.
Kagnikar has helped nearly 500 farmers to set up gobar gas plants. Initiated watershed activities in and around Kattanbavi village. Took up ‘Hold water and Sink water’ program for twelve years and brought many wells back to life.
Planted two and half lakh trees in four villages of which two lakhs are growing. He helped installing nearly twenty thousand gobar gas plants. Helped in starting ten self-help groups for rural women. Over the last fifteen years has been helping about forty farmers to take up organic farming. Has conducted many nature education and organic gardening activities for school children and citizens.
He was AAB’s Belgaumite of the Year 2013.