In 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
Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. File Pic/PTI
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 country.
Fadnavis recalls Gadgil as principled champion of ecology
In 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 conservation.
Focus on Western Ghats and global recognition
The Chief Minister highlighted Dr. Gadgil’s 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 Programme’s ‘Champion of the Earth’ award, one of the highest global honours in the field of environmental protection.
Referring to Dr. Gadgil’s six-decade-long scientific career, Fadnavis said that despite holding several prestigious positions, he always regarded himself as a “scientist of the people”. His work brought international recognition not only to himself but also to Maharashtra, the Chief Minister added.
CM expresses solidarity with Gadgil family
“His demise is a significant loss to the field of environmental conservation and protection. With his passing, we have lost a sage-like guide, and the Gadgil family has suffered an irreparable loss,” Fadnavis said, expressing solidarity with Dr. Gadgil’s family, admirers and students.
Ajit Pawar calls death a setback to green movement
Deputy 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, “We have lost a dedicated personality who successfully linked environmental protection with science and people’s participation.” He added that Dr. Gadgil set a lasting example of how development and environmental conservation can be balanced.
Pawar 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 said.
Voice for community-led conservation
Highlighting 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 land.
“With his passing, we have lost a powerful and fearless voice that spoke out against threats such as mining, indiscriminate large-scale construction and climate change,” Pawar said.
Demise in Pune after brief illness
Dr. Gadgil passed away late Wednesday night at a hospital in Pune after a brief illness. He was 83.
A 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 India’s environmental discourse.
Academic roots and global education
Born 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 master’s 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 behaviour.
Building modern ecological research in India
After 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 Goa.
Dr. Gadgil served on several high-level national and international bodies, including the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, the National Advisory Council and the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
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