Ecologist Madhav Gadgil honoured with UNEP Champions of Earth Award

Veteran Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil has been chosen as one of the six persons/institutions to be honoured with the prestigious 2024 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) ‘Champions of the Earth’ award. 

Madhav Gadgil, along with Brazilian Sonia Guajajara, Lu Qi of China, Amy Bowers Cordalis of the USA, Gabriel Paun of România, and the Egyptian environmental organisation Sekem, has been chosen for this year  ‘Champions of the Earth’ award in various categories.

The ‘Champions of the Earth award is considered the United Nation’s highest environmental honour. 

About Madhav Gadgil and his work 

Madhav Gadgil was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement category of the UNEP’s ‘Champion of the Earth’ Award. 

Madhav Gadgil has been honoured for his research, which has helped to protect marginalised people, promote the community-driven conservation of ecosystems, from forests to wetlands, and influence policymaking at the highest level.

Madhav Gadgil was the Chairman of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, set up by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest in 2010.

In its report submitted to the government in 2011, the committee recommended that 75% of the 129,037 sq km area of the Western Ghats be declared environmentally sensitive due to its dense evergreen forest and endemic species.

Award Winners of the 2024 UNEP “Champions of Earth Award

The following is the list of the 2024 UNEP Champions of Earth Award winners, their nationalities, and the category for which they have been honoured.

About the Champions of the Earth Award

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) instituted the Champions of the Earth Award in 2005.

The annual award is given to an individual or to an organisation that works to find innovative and sustainable solutions to the challenges of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Nature Loss, Pollution and Waste.

They are honoured for their effort and actions, which have a transformative environmental impact. 

The Award is given in four categories: Policy Leadership, Science and Innovation, Entrepreneurial Vision and Inspiration and Action.

For exemplary contribution, a person is given the Lifetime Achievement Award.

So far, the Award has been given to 116 individuals and organisations, including 7 world leaders, 70 individuals, and 19 groups or organisations.

About the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Agency that deals with environmental issues.

The UNEP was set up by the United Nations in 1972.

It was established after the first global summit organised by the United Nations on Environment—the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment—in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1972.

The UNEP works to build a global consensus and action to address the triple global problems of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Nature Loss, and Pollution and Waste.

Members: 193 Countries 

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya