Who was Madhav Gadgil and what was his main contribution?

Madhav Gadgil was a renowned Indian ecologist known for his work on the Western Ghats and advocating for community-driven conservation.

What was the Gadgil Report?

The Gadgil Report, published in 2011, recommended protecting ecologically fragile areas within India's Western Ghats from development threats.

What recognition did Madhav Gadgil receive from the UN?

Madhav Gadgil was honored as one of six 'Champions of the Earth' for 2024 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Home / Environment / Ecologist Madhav Gadgil, Western Ghats Protector, Dies

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil, Western Ghats Protector, Dies

8 Jan

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Summary

Veteran ecologist Madhav Gadgil passed away at 83 in Pune.
His 2011 Gadgil Report warned of environmental disasters in Western Ghats.
Gadgil was honored as a UNEP 'Champion of the Earth' for 2024.

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil, Western Ghats Protector, Dies

Veteran ecologist Madhav Gadgil, aged 83, passed away on Wednesday night in Pune after a brief illness. Gadgil was a pivotal figure in Indian environmentalism, widely recognized for his foundational research on the Western Ghats and his advocacy for community-based conservation efforts.

His seminal 2011 "Gadgil Report" identified the Western Ghats as an ecologically fragile region threatened by development and climate change, recommending that 75% of its area be declared environmentally sensitive. These recommendations, however, have yet to be fully implemented, despite their prescient warnings about potential disasters.

Gadgil, a recipient of the UN Environment Programme's 'Champions of the Earth' award in 2024, dedicated his six-decade career to bridging science and public interest. His work influenced policy, protected marginalized communities, and promoted ecosystem conservation across India.