In a powerful reminder that big change often begins in small places, eight Indian villages are emerging as leaders in sustainability and cleanliness. From Majuli in Assam — where rising river waters haven’t stopped locals from building bamboo homes and restoring wetlands — to Mawlynnong in Meghalaya, where a plastic ban, rainwater harvesting, and bamboo dustbins make every corner spotless.

Other villages on the list include Piplantri in Rajasthan, where every girl born leads to 111 trees being planted; and Nako in Himachal’s high Himalayas, where tradition meets zero-waste ethics. Some communities also revive old farming techniques, rely on local materials, and prioritise eco-conscious growth over rapid urbanisation.

What makes these places special isn’t just their low carbon footprint — it’s the people. Across all eight, sustainability isn’t a policy, but a habit: residents sweep their lanes, segregate waste, nurture saplings, and reclaim their land from erosion.