Remembering Professor Madhav Gadgil

Remembering Professor Madhav Gadgil

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Madhav Gadgil, an eminent ecologist, visionary thinker, and one of India’s most influential voices in biodiversity conservation and environmental governance. His pioneering scholarship, unwavering commitment to ecological integrity, and strong advocacy for people-centred conservation have significantly shaped environmental discourse in India and across the world.

Professor Gadgil was a key architect of the People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs), championing the documentation of local ecological knowledge through participatory, community-led processes. His work laid the foundation for decentralized biodiversity governance in India and has informed the implementation of the Biological Diversity Act, strengthening the role of local communities in conservation and sustainable use. He has been a valued well-wisher of FRLHT and TDU for more than 25 years.

His remarkable contributions to science, policy, and public engagement will remain a lasting legacy. His ideas continue to inspire institutions, scholars, and practitioners committed to sustainability and social justice.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, students, and admirers. His legacy will endure through his work, his ideas, and the many lives he touched.

May his soul rest in peace.

Photo Credit: Thulasi Kakkat