Manoj Kumar IB (IND)
Originally from Vypin Island near Kochi, Manoj Kumar I.B. obtained a BTech degree (Electrical and Electronics) in 1991 and worked as a customer support engineer in free software (GNU/Linux) until 2021. In 1997, he started a mini-forest project on 1.5 acres around his home in Edavanakad (Vypin) and has never stopped his ecological commitment since then. Among his many activities, Manoj I.B. is a member of Grassroute, a community working on coastal protection, mangrove restoration and maintenance of water bodies based on Vypin Island. He is also the founder of Rewild, a native plant nursery and farm school that serves as a dynamic centre for community engagement, environmental awareness and ecological stewardship.