Author: Madhav Gadgil | Genre: Memoir, Nature | Pages: 523 (Hard jacket)
Madhav Gadgil, a Padma Bhushan awardee, was born in 1942 in Pune, had a deep love for nature from a very young age. His dad, who loved birds, taught him to recognize birds from pictures even before he could read. Madhav had a unique mix of interests—he was fascinated by the natural world, different landscapes, the creatures that lived in them, and the diverse cultures of the people in India.
In his memoir, Madhav Gadgil talks about his life, which was heavily influenced by his strong connection to nature and his dedication to environmental causes. He shares memories from his childhood treks under the starry night sky and his journey from Pune to Harvard University. While at Harvard, he loved the intellectual environment but decided to return to India during the Vietnam War, choosing not to be a part of the “brain drain.”
Back in India, he worked on various projects, including protecting tigers and studying bamboo. He also challenged some common beliefs about how tribal communities interact with nature. Madhav Gadgil’s memoir shows his lifelong commitment to preserving nature and the challenges that come with balancing environmental conservation and economic interests. This book is filled with interesting life stories, scientific insights, and a heartfelt tribute to a dear friend, making it a captivating exploration of one man’s journey to protect our environment.
The book also takes you on a journey through the hills and valleys of India, where Madhav watched peacocks dance and elephants roam. He lived among coastal fisherfolk, learned from horticulturists in the Western Ghats, and connected with tribal communities in Manipur and Maharashtra. Throughout, he remained a vital part of the scientific community. This book opens one’s eyes and conscience to becoming more serious about ecological conservation.
About the Author
Madhav Gadgil was born in 1942 amid the hills of Western Ghats and, fascinated by its rich natural and cultural heritage, decided, while still a high school student, to become a field ecologist-cum-anthropologist. He was educated in Pune, Mumbai and Harvard University, where he did a doctoral thesis in mathematical ecology and won the IBM Computer Center Fellowship.
For thirty-one years he was on the faculty of Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, where he established the Centre for Ecological Sciences and engaged in basic as well as applied research in collaboration with tribals, farmers, herders and fisherfolk. He was involved in drafting India’s Biological Diversity Act and has chaired the Science and Technology Advisory Panel of Global Environment Facility and the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel.
P.S.: I received a review copy from the publisher, but the review remains unbiased.
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