Madhav Gadgil Among UNEP’s ‘Champions of the Earth 2024’ Honorees

Keywords: Madhav Gadgil, Champions of the Earth, UNEP, environmental conservation, Western Ghats, biodiversity hotspot, Klamath River, old-growth forest, Great Green Wall, sustainable agriculture.

Renowned Indian ecologist, academic, and writer Madhav Gadgil has been recognized with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s ‘Champions of the Earth’ award for 2024 in the Lifetime Achievement category. This prestigious honor celebrates Gadgil’s exceptional contributions to environmental conservation through groundbreaking research and community engagement, which have shaped public opinion and influenced policymaking on the protection of natural resources.

The UNEP announced the awards on December 10, 2024, recognizing Gadgil and five other global environmental leaders across various categories.

Madhav Gadgil’s Legacy in Environmental Protection

Madhav Gadgil is best known for his seminal work in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and global biodiversity hotspot. His pivotal role in landmark environmental impact assessments and grassroots activism has contributed to the preservation of India’s fragile ecosystems.

The Gadgil Committee Report (2011), which he spearheaded, provided a scientific framework for sustainable development in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats. His efforts have empowered local communities to protect biodiversity, champion sustainable practices, and oppose environmentally destructive projects.

Other 2024 UNEP Champions of the Earth

1. Cordalis (Inspiration and Action)
   An Indigenous rights advocate from the United States, Cordalis was recognized for her efforts to restore the Klamath River ecosystem. Her work has facilitated the adoption of sustainable fishing practices and the removal of dams along the Klamath River, the largest such project in history. This achievement has restored critical habitats for salmon species while safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of Native American tribes.
2. Gabriel Paun (Inspiration and Action)
   Founder of the Romanian non-profit Agent Green, Paun has been at the forefront of saving the Carpathian Mountains’ old-growth forests, Europe’s last such reserves. Despite facing physical threats, Paun’s relentless documentation of illegal logging has exposed deforestation and preserved biodiversity vital to species like lynx and wolves.
3. Lu Qi (Science and Innovation)
   A Chinese scientist and environmentalist, Lu Qi has spearheaded efforts to combat desertification and land degradation in China. His leadership in projects like the Great Green Wall, the world’s largest afforestation initiative, has reversed ecological degradation and advanced global cooperation on sustainable land management.
4. SEKEM (Entrepreneurial Vision)
   This Egyptian initiative is transforming desert landscapes into thriving agricultural zones by promoting biodynamic farming, afforestation, and reforestation. SEKEM has become a model for sustainable agriculture, contributing to Egypt’s sustainable development goals.

UNEP’s Champions of the Earth: Recognizing Global Environmental Leadership

The Champions of the Earth award is UNEP’s highest environmental honor, celebrating extraordinary initiatives that protect and restore the environment while promoting sustainable development. The 2024 honorees exemplify innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

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