Eminent Ecologist Madhav Gadgil Passes Away at 83

Renowned ecologist and environmental thinker Madhav Gadgil (1942–2026) passed away on 7 January in Pune at the age of 83. He was widely respected for his bottom-up approach to environmental conservation and his lifelong commitment to integrating ecology with democratic decision-making.

Champion of Western Ghats Conservation
Gadgil is best known for chairing the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) in 2011. The panel recommended that 75% of the Western Ghats’ 1,29,037 sq km area be declared Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) due to dense forests and high levels of endemic biodiversity.
The report, however, proved controversial, with several States opposing it as overly restrictive. It was later sidelined by the then UPA government, and notably, eco-sensitive areas along the Western Ghats are yet to be formally notified, even 15 years after the recommendations.

Academic and Institutional Legacy
For over three decades (31 years), Madhav Gadgil served as a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, where he founded the Centre for Ecological Sciences in 1982. His work combined rigorous scientific research with field-based collaboration involving tribals, farmers, herders, and fisherfolk.

Role in Policy and Global Environmental Governance
Gadgil played a key role in drafting India’s Biological Diversity Act and chaired several high-level bodies, including:

• Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP)
• Science and Technology Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)

His work consistently emphasized decentralised governance, community participation, and ecological sustainability.

International Recognition
In recognition of his global impact, Madhav Gadgil was named one of the six ‘Champions of the Earth’ for 2024 by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), one of the world’s highest environmental honours.