UN Champion of the Earth 2024

UN Champion of the Earth 2024

Madhav Gadgil, a veteran Indian ecologist, was named a 2024 ‘Champion of the Earth’ by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

  • The recognition is in the “Lifetime Achievement” category for his decades-long contributions to environmental protection.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Establishment: Founded in 1972 after the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm.

Role: 

  • Leading global environmental authority
  • Coordinates UN environmental activities
  • Promotes sustainable development
  • Provides scientific assessments
  • Encourages international cooperation

Awards:

  • Champions of the Earth: Recognizes outstanding environmental leaders.
  • Young Champions of the Earth: Honors young environmental innovators.

Initiatives:

  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Biodiversity conservation
  • Sustainable consumption and production
  • Chemical and waste management
  • Disaster and conflict environmental assessments

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About the ‘Champion of the Earth’ Award

  • UNEP’s ‘Champion of the Earth’ award is the UN’s highest environmental honor, recognizing outstanding environmental leaders since 2005.
  • It is an annual award that acknowledges individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional commitment to environmental conservation.
  • ‘Champions of the Earth’ Awardees: Indian  Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, was conferred the Champions of the Earth Award 2018 for Policy Leadership.

Category Awardee(s) Country
Lifetime Achievement Madhav Gadgil India
Policy Leadership Sonia Guajajara Brazil
Inspiration and Action Amy Bowers Cordalis, Gabriel Paun US, Romania
Science and Innovation Lu Qi China
Entrepreneurial Vision Sekem Egypt

Madhav Gadgil’s ContributionsWestern Ghats Conservation: Chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (2011).

  • Authored the “Gadgil Report,” which highlighted the ecological threats and proposed community-centric conservation strategies.
  • Recommended declaring 75% of the 129,037 sq. km Western Ghats area as environmentally sensitive due to its unique biodiversity.
  • Recommendations have faced resistance and remain partially implemented. 
  • Subsequent reports, like the Kasturirangan report, diluted its recommendations and reduced the  Environmentally sensitive region.

Aspect Gadgil Committee Report Kasturirangan Committee Report
Focus Ecologically sensitive conservation with community involvement Balanced approach with development and conservation
ESA Coverage Recommended 75% of the Western Ghats (129,037 sq. km) as environmentally sensitive Reduced to 37% of the Western Ghats as environmentally sensitive
Approach Emphasized community participation in decision-making Categorized areas into cultural (human settlements) and natural (non-human) regions
Activity Classification Red: Prohibited activities (e.g., mining, stone quarrying)

Orange: Regulated with permissions

Green: Permitted activities like agriculture and horticulture

Similar classification but with greater emphasis on allowing developmental activities in cultural regions
Stakeholder Inclusion Strongly recommended consultation and involvement of local communities Limited local participation; decisions more aligned with central and state agencies
Implementation Resistance Faced strong opposition from development and industrial sectors Accepted more widely but criticized for diluting ecological recommendations
Conservation Scope Advocated for stricter conservation measures for biodiversity protection Aimed to balance ecological preservation with developmental needs

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    • Status of Implementation: Since 2014, the Union Environment Ministry has issued five draft notifications to declare the Western Ghats ecologically sensitive.
    • Final notification remains pending due to objections from various States
  • Grassroots Environmental Engagement: Promoted community-driven conservation initiatives, safeguarding forests, wetlands, and other ecosystems.
    • Supported marginalized communities, empowering them to protect their local environments.
  • Academic Contributions: Authored seven books and over 225 scientific papers.
    • His research shaped public opinion and official policies on biodiversity conservation.
  • Advocacy and Vision Emphasized the role of communication and grassroots activism in driving environmental change.
    • Continues to inspire collective action to address ecological crises.
  • Other Awards and Recognition: Gadgil’s wide-ranging contributions throughout the years have earned him some of India’s highest civilian honours including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan awards.
    • He also received  the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement and the Volvo Environment Prize . 
    • He is often known as ‘“people’s scientist”

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Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
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Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
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