Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Condoles Death of Environmentalist Madhav Gadgil

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences on the passing of Gadgil, a distinguished environmental scientist whose work shaped environmental discourse across India, highlighting his lasting impact on environmental studies and activism.

In his staement, the CM said, Gadgil had a long and illustrious career in the field of environmental science. His principled stance on ecological issues influenced both grassroots environmental movements and academic discussions in India.

He also added that through Gadgil's research and teaching, he actively contributed to conversations around environmental conservation and sustainable development.

"His perspectives on balancing development and environmental protection were widely discussed at multiple levels," Pinarayi Vijayan said in his statement. The Chief Minister paid tributes to Madhav Gadgil for his invaluable contributions.

Prof Madhav Gadgil passed away on Wednesday night in Pune. He had been suffering from a prolonged illness and was undergoing treatment at Prayag Hospital in Pune. His family confirmed the death. The cremation will be held today at 4 pm.

Prof. Gadgil was a pioneering figure who laid a strong scientific and practical foundation for environmental conservation efforts in India. He had repeatedly warned that unregulated infrastructure development in the Western Ghats region could lead to severe ecological disasters. In 2011, he submitted the landmark Gadgil Report following an expert study on the Western Ghats mountain range.