Anil Agarwal, 54, Chairperson of the New Delhi based Centre for Science and Environment, passed away in Dehradun after a prolonged illness on January 2, 2001.
Mr. Agarwal will always be remembered for his significant contribution in generating awareness about environment as an editor of Down to Earth, a science and environment magazine. Mr. Agarwal, a mechanical engineer from IIT Kanpur, started his journalistic career as a science correspondent for the Hindustan Times in 1973. He has written for several international publications including the London-based journals Earthscan and New Scientist. He has written and edited more than 20 books on science and environment in India. In 1980, Agarwal founded Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), an NGO which is actively working on environmental issues. From 1983 to 1987, Agarwal chaired the world’s largest network of environmental NGOs, the Nairobi-based Environment Liasion Centre. In 1987, the United Nations Environment Programme elected him to its Global 500 Honor Roll for his work in the national and international arena. The Indian Government has also honored him with Padma Shri and Padma Bushan for his work in environment and development.
GIS Development expresses its profound grief on untimely demise of Mr. Agarwal. We pray that the struggle he started for environment will continue. At the moment, we remember the encouraging words he wrote to us when we launched a campaign against map restriction policy in India. May God rest his soul in peace. Our heart felt condolences to the bereaved family.
