Maruti Chitampalli

On 18th June 2025, renowned environmentalist and wildlife conservationist Maruti Chitampalli, affectionately known as ‘Aranya Rishi’, passed away at the age of 93 in Solapur, Maharashtra, due to age-related ailments.

Maruti Chitampalli was a revered figure in India’s environmental movement, dedicating over six decades to forest conservation, ecological awareness, and wildlife literature.
Fluent in 13 languages, he built deep connections with tribal communities, using their traditional ecological knowledge to enrich his scientific writings and conservation efforts.
His personal diaries formed the scientific and literary backbone for acclaimed works like Pakshikosha (Encyclopedia of Birds), Pashukosha (Encyclopedia of Animals), and Matsyakosha (Encyclopedia of Fish), which are considered landmark contributions to Indian natural history literature.
He was honoured with the Padma Shri award for his exceptional contributions to wildlife and conservation, receiving the award from the President of India on 30th April 2025.