Dr. Devesh Gadhavi
Wildlife Service Awards 2024
Dr. Devesh Gadhavi
GIB defender, wildlife lover, committed conservationist
“I hope to see a flock of 50 Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) in my lifetime,” says Dr. Devesh Gadhavi, a Gujarat-based wildlife conservationist with over 15 years of experience. As the Deputy Director at The Corbett Foundation (TCF), he is at the forefront of conserving the GIB and its semi-arid grassland habitat. He works tirelessly with local communities, forest officials, power companies, and serves on committees constituted by the Supreme Court of India, to give critically endangered species and their habitats a better survival chance.
Dr. Devesh’s journey into wildlife conservation began with a childhood fascination for birds in Gujarat, under the mentorship of his cousin, Dr. Indra Gadhavi. An early involvement with the Dharmakumarsinhji Nature Conservation Society fueled his passion for birding and research. In 2010, he joined TCF and returned to his ancestral home in Kutchh, where he saw his first GIB. His surveys underscored the urgent need to stem habitat loss, the main cause for the decline of GIBs.
A key achievement was his successful effort to identify GIB habitats outside the forest areas, these were transferred from the Revenue Department to the Forest Department, which protected 15 sq. km. of land. His innovative work included composing a ‘GIB song’ that won the involvement of the community. In 2014, he was appointed to the Gujarat State Wildlife Advisory Board, as a representative of The Corbett Foundation, and served for three terms, helping the species’ recovery.
That said, inappropriate development strategies continue to pose a significant threat to the GIB. A power substation in its core habitat in Kutchh and a rapid increase in the network of overhead powerlines resulted in the tragic death of a GIB in 2014, followed by another GIB death owing to collision with a powerline in 2017. Despite successful legal action calling for underground power lines, a recent court ruling has again placed the GIB at risk.
Since 2021, Dr. Devesh has served on Supreme Court committees tasked with balancing conservation and development. His work is supported by his wife, and a committed team of researchers at TCF. For Dr. Devesh, each sighting of a GIB in the wild strengthens his resolve to protect the species and its fragile ecosystem. “The fate of the GIB, other grassland birds, and grasslands is up to us,” he says, inspiring hope in the ongoing fight.
For his indomitable spirit, commitment to wild India, relentless and consistent efforts, we honour Devesh Gadhavi.