On December 10, 2024, ecologist Madhav Gadgil received the United Nation‘s highest environmental honour, the Champions of the Earth award, for his groundbreaking work in the Western Ghats, a hotspot for biodiversity worldwide.

The government-formed Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), chaired by Mr. Gadgil, examined the impact of development activities, population growth, and climate change on this fragile region. In 2011, the panel recommended designating the entire hill range as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and dividing it into three Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ 1, 2, and 3) based on their level of environmental sensitivity.

The group also recommended that ESZ 1 be off-limits to mining, quarrying, new thermal power plants, hydropower projects, and large-scale wind energy projects. Despite the recommendations’ scientific basis, state governments, businesses, and local organisations resisted them.

Source: Wikipedia

Standing by Integrity and Advocacy

In an interview with PTI, ecologist Madhav Gadgil expressed satisfaction with his work, stating that he took pride in producing a report that few others would dare to write. Despite being cautioned against upsetting those in power, he remained steadfast in presenting the truth in his reports.

According to Gadgil, he approached the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report as a responsible Indian citizen, and his suggestions were in complete accordance with both the Indian Constitution and the local reality. He noted that the disparity in information availability across various socioeconomic classes was closing, highlighting how simple it was becoming for individuals to obtain his publications. He pointed out that local communities were more informed and mobilised as a result of this dedication to openness.

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The Long Road to Ecological Protection

In July 2012, UNESCO designated the Western Ghats as a World Heritage Site. According to the 2013 report of a High-Level Working Group led by K. Kasturirangan, 37% of the Western Ghats were deemed environmentally fragile. However, efforts to finalize notifications designating the region as environmentally vulnerable have been stalled since March 2014 due to state-level concerns.

To address the issue, an expert group led by Sanjay Kumar was formed in April 2022, and states are now working with this group to find solutions. Despite setbacks, Madhav Gadgil’s support remains critical to ecological conservation in the region.

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