Madhav Gadgil gets U.N.'s highest environmental honour

Madhav Gadgil has been awarded the Champions of the Earth award by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). This is the highest environmental honour given by the United Nations.

Significance: 

 Gadgil is the only Indian recipient of this prestigious award for the year 2024. The award recognizes individuals and organizations whose actions have had a transformative impact on the environment.

Background: 

 Madhav Gadgil is renowned for his work as an ecologist and environmentalist. He chaired the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), also known as the Gadgil Commission.

About the United Nations Environment Programme The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global authority on environmental issues within the United Nations system.

Formation: 

UNEP was established on June 5, 1972, following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment held in Stockholm. Headquarters: The headquarters of UNEP is located in Nairobi, Kenya.

Global Environmental Facility (GEF): UNEP is one of the implementing agencies for the GEF, which provides funding for projects related to environmental protection and sustainable development.