Pune, Jan 08, 2026 – Renowned ecologist Madhav Gadgil, a pioneering figure in grassroots environmentalism in India, passed away on Wednesday night in Pune following a brief illness. He was 83.

“I am very sorry to share the sad news that my father, Madhav Gadgil, passed away late last night in Pune after a brief illness,” said Siddhartha Gadgil, his son, in a brief statement.

Gadgil’s work fundamentally shaped environmental conservation in India, particularly through his focus on community-driven approaches. He was widely recognized for his seminal study of the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, and for his warnings about the ecological consequences of unplanned development in sensitive regions. His landmark Gadgil Report of 2011 recommended that 75% of the Western Ghats be declared environmentally sensitive, a move aimed at preserving the dense forests, endemic species, and fragile ecosystems of the mountain range. Though controversial at the time and diluted in subsequent reports, the recommendations remain a critical blueprint for sustainable development in the region.

Over a career spanning six decades, Gadgil combined rigorous science with a deep commitment to people. “I have been talking since morning. I have the satisfaction that as a scientist, empathetic to the people, I have been able to do various things which have helped in changing the direction of what is happening,” he had told HT. His work championed the rights of marginalized communities, promoted participatory conservation of forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems, and influenced policymaking at the highest levels.

Gadgil’s research and advocacy earned him international acclaim. In 2024, he was named one of the UNEP’s six ‘Champions of the Earth’, recognized for his role as a “people’s scientist” who bridged scientific research with practical conservation solutions.

Born in Pune in 1942, Gadgil was deeply inspired by his father, a birdwatcher, and developed an early fascination with both nature and culture. Educated in Pune, Mumbai, and Harvard University, where he completed a doctoral thesis in mathematical ecology, Gadgil combined expertise in natural and social sciences.

For 31 years, he was a faculty member at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, where he founded the Centre for Ecological Sciences. His work involved close collaboration with tribal communities, farmers, herders, and fisherfolk, integrating local knowledge with scientific research. Gadgil also played a pivotal role in drafting India’s Biological Diversity Act and chaired key scientific panels, including the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel and the Science and Technology Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility.

Gadgil’s contributions extended beyond conservation to public education and environmental policy. In his autobiography, A Walk Up The Hill: Living With People And Nature (Penguin, 2023), he reflected on a lifetime of engagement with both nature and society, emphasizing that sustainable development must respect local communities and ecosystems alike.

He is survived by his son, Siddhartha Gadgil, and was predeceased by his wife, noted monsoon scientist Sulochana Gadgil, who passed away in July 2025.

Madhav Gadgil leaves behind a legacy of scientific rigor, environmental stewardship, and a lifelong commitment to linking ecological health with human well-being. His vision for a sustainable India continues to inspire ecologists, policymakers, and communities across the country.