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”