The warnings by the nature due to environment degradation should be taken seriously and urgent action should be taken to protect the biodiversity of the Western Ghats, said environmental activist Akhilesh Chipli in Udupi on Saturday.

Inaugurating the two-day ‘Environment and Education’ conference organised by Udupi District unit of Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, in memory of environment activist Madhav Gadgil, Mr. Chipli said Madhav Gadgil was fully committed to protection of biodiversity of the Western Ghats.

When Gadgil gave report on protection of bio-sensitive Western Ghats, the political class and officials painted him in a bad picture. They criticised Mr. Gadgil and humiliated him. Landslides in Kerala in 2018 and 2024, in Kodagu in 2018-19, and in Shiroor and Ankola in 2024 have not opened our eyes. Now there were reports about Nuclear power plant coming up in Sagar in Shivamogga district.

Though staying in Bengaluru, Mr. Gadgil had deep knowledge of Western Ghats. He moved with native tribes to present the biodiversity of Western Ghats to the world. When Mr. Gadgil passed way in January this year, none from the political class from Karnataka offered condolences, Mr. Chipli said.  

General Secretary of Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Karnataka, T.A. Prashanth Babu, president and general secretary of Udupi district unit of the Samiti, P.V. Bhandary and Santosh Nayak Patla, also spoke.