Madhav Gadgil, an Indian scientist, has been awarded the UN's highest environmental honour, the 'Champions of the Earth Award 2024', for his six-decade-long contribution to environmental conservation.
Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil has made remarkable contributions to environmental conservation over his six-decade-long scientific career. He has been awarded the prestigious 'Champions of the Earth Award 2024' by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is regarded as the UN's highest environmental honour. This recognition has further elevated India's global standing in the field of environmental protection.
Madhav Gadgil spent his childhood in Maharashtra, where his father played a crucial role in shaping his sensitivity towards social and environmental issues. Growing up, Gadgil closely witnessed challenges such as hydroelectric projects and deforestation alongside his father. One of his father’s questions profoundly influenced the course of Gadgil’s life. He often posed the question that whether industrial development should come at the cost of environmental destruction and the suffering of local communities.This question became a guiding force for Gadgil's lifelong commitment to environmental conservation.
Madhav Gadgil established the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where his pioneering work laid the foundation for significant advancements in environmental conservation. His seven books and over 225 research papers have provided new perspectives on ecological protection. Gadgil has been honoured with prestigious awards such as the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Tyler Prize, and the Volvo Environment Prize. Today, he is dedicated to training rural youth by leveraging smartphones and new technologies, empowering the next generation in environmental stewardship.
The Madhav Gadgil Report, also known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel Report, was an environmental assessment of India's Western Ghats region, led by ecologist Madhav Gadgil. The report highlighted the growing threats of industrialization and deforestation in the area. It recommended dividing the Western Ghats into sensitive zones and ensuring that development activities were environmentally sustainable. Gadgil played a pivotal role in establishing India's first biosphere reserve and worked closely with forest dwellers, fishermen, and farmers to create a model for ecological conservation, fostering a balance between development and environmental protection.
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