Renowned ecologist Madhav Gadgil passes away at 82

Madhav Gadgil, a renowned ecologist and recipient of the UN’s Champions of the Earth award, passed away at his residence in Pune on January 7, 2026, at the age of 82. He was known for his work on the ecological significance of the western ghats and his seminal report that recommended strict restrictions on development in sensitive areas. Jairam Ramesh, former Environment Minister and Congress leader, described Gadgil as a "top-notch academic scientist" and a champion of traditional knowledge systems. The cremation will take place at 4 p.m. today at Pune’s Vaikuntha crematorium.