Champions of the Earth award

Current Context :  Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil was honored with the Champions of the Earth award in the Lifetime Achievement category for his significant contributions to environmental protection.

• Gadgil, the only Indian on the list of this year’s award recipients, chaired the government-constituted Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel to study the impact of population pressure, climate change, and development activities on the ecologically fragile region in India.

About Award

• The Champions of the Earth award is the United Nations’ highest environmental honor, presented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• It recognizes outstanding leaders from government, civil society, and the private sector whose actions have had a transformative positive impact on the environment.
• Categories: The award is conferred in several categories, including Policy Leadership, Inspiration and Action, Entrepreneurial Vision, Science and Innovation, and Lifetime Achievement.
• Purpose: It aims to acknowledge and promote exceptional environmental initiatives that contribute to sustainable development and environmental conservation.