New Delhi: Madhav Dhananjaya Gadgil, one of the most influential ecologists in India and a tireless advocate for sustainable development passed away after a brief illness at his residence in Pune on 7 January 2026. He was 83. Gadgil was a scholar who dedicated his life to rigorous science and grassroots activism. Gadgil leaves behind a profound legacy in biodiversity conservation, human ecology and environmental policy.

Gadgil was born on 24 May, 1942 in Pune to the eminent economist Dhananjay Ramchandra Gadgil. Madhav grew up immersed in intellectual inquiry and a deep appreciation for nature. His early fascination with the biodiversity of the Western Ghats shaped his career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Fergusson College and a master’s in zoology from the University of Mumbai, and then a PhD from Harvard University where he developed expertise in population biology and mathematical ecology.

Environmental activism in India

After returning to India, Gadgil joined the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru where he founded the Centre for Ecological Sciences in 1983, a pioneering integration of ecology and social sciences. His fieldwork was legendary, trekking through forests, living among local communities and documenting traditional knowledge systems. One of his key achievements was establishing the first biosphere reserve in India, the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve that emphasized the coexistence between humans and nature.

The most enduring contribution from Gadgil was as the chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (2010-2011), known as the Gadgil Comission. The panel’s report recommended designating large swathes of the Western Ghats as ecologically sensitive zones, prioritising community-led conservation and restricting harmful development. The report was controversial, and largely unimplemented, with officials attempting to bury the report. The report still sparked national debates on balancing progress with ecological integrity, and influenced policies like the Biological Diversity Act and the Forest Rights Act.

A prolific writer

Gadgil co-authored seminal books such as This Fissured Land and Ecology and Equity with Ramchandra Guha, arguing that environmental degradation disproportionately affects the poor and that true conservation must empower local communities. He advocated a ‘bottom-up’ model of governance, that blended modern science with indigenous wisdom. Honours poured in for his work, including the Padma Shri in 1981, the Padma Bhushan in 2026, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the Volvo Environment Prize, the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and the UN Champions of the Earth award in 2024, the highest global environmental accolade for his lifelong defence of the Western Ghats.

Tributes are pouring in

Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme Inger Andersen said, “We at UN Environment Programme are deeply saddened by the passing of Madhav Gadgil – a leading voice for science, nature, and people. His legacy lives on in healthier ecosystems, stronger institutions and the young people he inspired to protect our shared planet.” Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor said “Deeply saddened by the demise of Madhav Gadgil, a titan of Indian ecology. His seminal WGEEP report sparked a fervent, often polarising, discourse in Kerala, highlighting the arduous equilibrium between preserving our fragile biodiversity and respecting the legitimate livelihood aspirations of our hill-dwelling populace. While the debate on implementation continues, his prescience and wisdom on sustainable coexistence remains a guiding light.”

Gadgil is predeceased by his wife, meteorologist Sulochana Gadgil in 2025. He is survived by a son and a daughter. In Gadgil’s passing, India loses a gentle giant who reminded us that protecting nature is inseparable from protecting people. His vision endures in every sacred grove preserved and every community empowered to safeguard its heritage.