The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi [India], January 8: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday paid rich tribute to eminent Indian environmentalist and ecologist Madhav Gadgil, who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83, remembering him as a towering figure in India’s environmental movement and public policy.
Describing Gadgil as a pre-eminent ecologist, Ramesh said he was a distinguished academic, tireless field researcher, pioneering institution-builder and an inspiring mentor who dedicated more than five decades to advancing modern science while championing traditional knowledge systems, particularly in biodiversity conservation.
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh wrote, “Madhav Gadgil, the pre-eminent ecologist, has just passed away. He was a top-notch academic scientist, a tireless field researcher, a pioneering institution-builder, a great communicator, a firm believer in people’s networks and movements, and a friend, philosopher, guide and mentor to many for over five decades. Trained at the very best universities in modern science, he was at the same time a champion of traditional knowledge systems—especially in biodiversity conservation.”
Gadgil played a pivotal role in several landmark environmental initiatives in India. His contributions included the Save Silent Valley Movement in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as well as crucial interventions to protect forests in Bastar during the mid-1980s. He also provided new direction to institutions such as the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India.
From 2009 to 2011, Gadgil chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, whose report was widely acclaimed for its depth, sensitivity and democratic approach. Ramesh noted that the report remains unmatched in both substance and style.
Reflecting on a personal association, Ramesh said he frequently sought Gadgil’s advice during his tenure as Union Environment Minister between May 2009 and July 2011. He recalled that their discussions extended beyond ecology to topics such as economics, the Indian monsoon and Gadgil’s family legacy, including his father Dhananjay Gadgil, a renowned economist, and his wife Sulochana Gadgil, an authority on monsoon studies.
“Nation builders come in different forms and varieties. Madhav Gadgil was definitely one of them,” Ramesh wrote, describing him as a true scholar—gentle, unassuming and empathetic, with immense depth of knowledge.
Over the years, Gadgil’s contributions earned him some of India’s highest civilian honours, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He was also a recipient of the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and the Volvo Environment Prize. In 2024, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) honoured him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ramesh said Gadgil’s legacy would continue to inspire generations, calling him an iconic and enduring figure in India’s environmental and intellectual history.
