Padma Shri Awardee ‘Aranya Rishi’ Maruti Chitampalli Passes Away at 93

Renowned environmentalist, author, and Padma Shri awardee Maruti Chitampalli, fondly remembered as ‘Aranya Rishi’ (Sage of the Forests), passed away at the age of 93 in Solapur, Maharashtra, due to age-related ailments. A former forest officer and conservationist par excellence, Chitampalli was a revered figure in India’s environmental movement, known for blending scientific research, wildlife preservation, and regional literature to inspire generations.

Why in News?

Maruti Chitampalli, a celebrated wildlife expert, passed away at 93 on June 20, 2025. He was recently awarded the Padma Shri on April 30, 2025, for his lifetime contribution to environmental conservation and ecological literature. His demise marks a major loss to India’s environmental, cultural, and literary spheres.

Achievements and Legacy

• Served in the Forest Department for 36 years.
• Travelled over 5 lakh kilometres across India for ecological documentation and tribal engagement.
• Known for fluent command in 13 languages, enabling deep communication with local communities.

Authored foundational works in Marathi

• ‘Pakshikosha’ – Encyclopedia of Birds
• ‘Pashukosha’ – Encyclopedia of Animals
• ‘Matsyakosha’ – Encyclopedia of Fish

Contributions to Environmental Literature

• Maintained extensive diaries that later evolved into scientific and literary treasures.
• Promoted eco-literature in regional languages, influencing public awareness and policy debates.
• His books are widely used in forest training academies, schools, and environmental NGOs.

Reactions to His Death

• CM Devendra Fadnavis: “Chitampalli’s demise marks the end of a glorious chapter in India’s conservation history.”
• Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, and Forest Minister Ganesh Naik also paid homage.
• Public and environmental circles remember him as a spiritual guardian of forests and a people’s naturalist.

Titles and Honors

• Awarded Padma Shri in 2025 for literature and wildlife conservation.
• Nicknamed “Aranya Rishi” due to his lifelong devotion to forests.
• Acted as a bridge between tribal ecological knowledge and mainstream environmental science.