A Pioneer of Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Dr. Madhav Dhananjaya Gadgil — ecologist, environmental thinker, and founder of the Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc Bengaluru — had been a leading voice in recognizing and validating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) across India. His work bridged the wisdom of indigenous communities with modern conservation science, emphasizing that sustainability thrives only when local knowledge and participation guide ecological governance.

Through landmark initiatives like the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (2011) and extensive research with tribal and rural communities, Dr. Gadgil illuminated how centuries-old practices — from sacred groves and sustainable harvesting to community-based forest management — embody profound environmental ethics. He consistently advocated for “people’s knowledge” as a scientific and moral cornerstone of India’s environmental policy.