Pune, 8th January 2026: Globally renowned environmental scientist and conservation thinker Madhav Gadgil passed away late Wednesday night at a private hospital in Pune, he was 83.
His demise marks the end of an era in Indian ecology, particularly for Maharashtra, where his work, ideas, and public engagement left a deep imprint. His last rites will be performed today at 4 pm at Vaikunth Crematorium, Pune.
Born on May 24, 1942, in Pune, Dr. Gadgil completed his early education in the city before pursuing higher studies in biology. He earned his PhD in Mathematical Ecology from Harvard University. Over the years, he emerged as a leading voice advocating biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and people’s participation in managing natural resources.
From 1973 to 2004, Dr. Gadgil served as a professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, where he founded the Centre for Ecological Sciences. He also taught at Harvard University and was a visiting professor at Stanford and Berkeley. His academic work combined rigorous science with a strong concern for society and ecology.
In 2010, the Union Ministry of Environment appointed him as chairperson of a high-level committee to study conservation of the Western Ghats. The committee’s report, prepared after extensive on-ground surveys, recommended declaring large parts of the Ghats as ecologically sensitive zones and restricting activities such as mining and large-scale extraction. It is widely regarded as a landmark document in India’s environmental history and sparked public debate and grassroots movements, especially in Maharashtra.
Dr. Gadgil also worked closely with school and college students to promote awareness of biodiversity and conservation. Through innovative experiments and citizen participation, he helped build a scientific yet inclusive approach to environmental protection.
Following his death, tributes have poured in from across Maharashtra and the country. Many have described him as a rare scientist who combined scholarship with social responsibility, and whose ideas will continue to guide environmental policy and public action for years to come.