Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar pay tributes to ecologist Madhav Gadgil

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday expressed deep grief over the passing of eminent environmental scientist and Padma Bhushan awardee Madhav Gadgil describing his demise as a major loss to environmental conservation in the countryFadnavis recalls Gadgil as principled champion of ecologyIn his condolence message Fadnavis said Dr Gadgil was a committed and principled champion of environmental protection who devoted his entire life to maintaining ecological balance He noted that the veteran ecologist would be remembered for his lifelong dedication to environmental causes and for creating widespread public awareness about conservationFocus on Western Ghats and global recognitionThe Chief Minister highlighted Dr Gadgilrsquos sustained efforts to sensitise society to environmental challenges and his tireless work to preserve and promote awareness of the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats In recognition of his outstanding contribution he was honoured in 2024 with the United Nations Environment Programmersquos lsquoChampion of the Earthrsquo award one of the highest global honours in the field of environmental protectionReferring to Dr Gadgilrsquos sixdecadelong scientific career Fadnavis said that despite holding several prestigious positions he always regarded himself as a ldquoscientist of the peoplerdquo His work brought international recognition not only to himself but also to Maharashtra the Chief Minister addedCM expresses solidarity with Gadgil familyldquoHis demise is a significant loss to the field of environmental conservation and protection With his passing we have lost a sagelike guide and the Gadgil family has suffered an irreparable lossrdquo Fadnavis said expressing solidarity with Dr Gadgilrsquos family admirers and studentsAjit Pawar calls death a setback to green movementDeputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in a separate condolence message said the environmental protection movement has suffered a severe setback with the passing of Dr Gadgil Paying tribute Pawar said ldquoWe have lost a dedicated personality who successfully linked environmental protection with science and peoplersquos participationrdquo He added that Dr Gadgil set a lasting example of how development and environmental conservation can be balancedPawar noted that Dr Gadgil firmly believed nature was not merely an object of observation but the very foundation of human existence His work had a deep impact on environmental policymaking and he consistently advocated sustainable development as the only viable path forward the Deputy Chief Minister saidVoice for communityled conservationHighlighting his contribution to the conservation of the Western Ghats Pawar said Dr Gadgil worked tirelessly to integrate traditional knowledge systems with modern science and strongly believed that local communities must play an active role in conservation He consistently asserted that people should have rights over natural resources such as water forests and landldquoWith his passing we have lost a powerful and fearless voice that spoke out against threats such as mining indiscriminate largescale construction and climate changerdquo Pawar saidDemise in Pune after brief illnessDr Gadgil passed away late Wednesday night at a hospital in Pune after a brief illness He was 83A pioneer of ecological research and conservation policy in India Dr Gadgil was the founder of the Centre for Ecological Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru and chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel popularly known as the Gadgil Commission Appointed in 2010 the panel submitted a landmark report recommending that a significant portion of the Western Ghats be designated as ecologically sensitive Though the report sparked intense debate it is widely regarded as a milestone in Indiarsquos environmental discourseAcademic roots and global educationBorn in Pune on May 24 1942 Dr Gadgil hailed from an illustrious academic family His father Dhananjay Ramchandra Gadgil was a noted economist and former director of the Gokhale Institute Dr Gadgil graduated in biology from Fergusson College in 1963 and completed his masterrsquos degree in zoology from the University of Mumbai in 1965 He went on to earn a PhD from Harvard University in 1969 specialising in mathematical ecology and animal behaviourBuilding modern ecological research in IndiaAfter returning to India in 1971 he joined the Indian Institute of Science in 1973 where he established key institutions including the Centre for Ecological Sciences and the Centre for Theoretical Studies laying the foundation for modern ecological research in the country He retired from IISc in 2004 and later continued his academic work with the Agharkar Research Institute in Pune and the University of GoaDr Gadgil served on several highlevel national and international bodies including the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister the National Advisory Council and the National Tiger Conservation Authority