Wildlife conservationist and author Maruti Chitampalli passes away at 93
Noted wildlife conservationist and Marathi author Maruti Chitampalli passed away at the age of 93 at his residence in Solapur at around 8.30 pm on Wednesday due to age-related ailments. Referred by many as 'Aranyarishee' (forest sage), Chitampalli leaves behind a rich legacy spanning forest conservation, environmental awareness, and Marathi literature.
Born on November 5, 1932, in Solapur, Chitampalli served in the Maharashtra Forest Department for over 36 years. During his tenure, he played a key role in wildlife and forest management, especially in ornithology, and represented India at several international conferences, presenting papers on biodiversity and conservation. He remained active in advisory roles even after retirement, contributing to academic and policy initiatives in the field of environment.
An acclaimed writer, Chitampalli pioneered nature writing in Marathi with his vivid, lyrical descriptions of birds, forests, animals, and tribal life. His books Ranvata, Nisargachitre, Pakshimitra, and Junglecha Doctor introduced readers to the unseen, untouched rhythms of the wilderness. He seamlessly blended scientific observation with a literary sensibility, earning him a wide readership and inspiring generations of nature lovers and writers.
In 2006, he presided over the 83rd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in Solapur, using the platform to awaken ecological awareness among the Marathi-speaking public. His contributions were formally recognised with the Vinda Karandikar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar in 2017 by the Government of Maharashtra. In April 2025, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his lifetime achievements in literature and environmental conservation.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said 'Chitampally sir, who knew 13 languages, expressed many of the wonders of nature in words. He put into words the knowledge possessed by the tribals. He told the world the language of birds. He made the knowledge he created, the Vanopanishad and Pakshikosha, available to us forever. While serving literature, he also held the post of president of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. For his comprehensive work, he was honoured with the Padma Shri Award this year.'
Milind Joshi, president, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, said, 'With a blend of passion, deep study, and lived experience, Chitampalli carved a space for himself in Marathi literature. He gave voice to forests, animals, birds, and trees. His works introduced Marathi readers to tribal dialects and the mystical life of nature that had long remained unknown. His encyclopaedic compilations on birds, wildlife, and flora enriched Marathi lexicography. With his passing, we have lost a sage-like literary figure.'
For the past decade, the Pune-based Adventure Foundation has been presenting the Maruti Chitampalli Nisargamitra Award in his honour. Its president, Vivek Deshpande, who shared a four-decade-long association with Chitampalli, recalled, 'We went on countless jungle safaris together. He taught me what it really means to conserve the forest. We had long hoped that he would receive the Padma Shri. Just two months ago, I spoke to him about the award and we were planning a felicitation event in Pune. Unfortunately, due to his ill health, he couldn't attend — a moment now lost forever. But the award named after him will continue to celebrate his legacy.'
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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
‘Aranya Rishi' Maruti Chitampalli Passes Away at 93
1 2 Nagpur: Maruti Bhujangrao Chitampalli, the legendary forest officer, naturalist, and Marathi writer who taught generations of Maharashtrians to read the forest like a sacred text, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, at the age of 93. Although he spent his final years in Solapur, his soul remained rooted in the forests of Vidarbha, where he spent the most meaningful decades of his life. Popularly known as 'Aranya Rishi' — the Forest Sage — Chitampalli was one of Maharashtra's finest nature writers and conservationists. His life was a seamless blend of scientific expertise, spiritual reflection, and literary brilliance. From Navegaon National Park to Nagzira and Karnala, his footprints are etched deep in the green heart of the state. Born in 1932 near Solapur, Chitampalli's bond with nature began in childhood under the influence of his mother. After completing his training at the Forest College in Coimbatore in 1958, he joined the Maharashtra forest department. But it was in the forests of Vidarbha, particularly during his posting in the 1970s at Navegaon, that his true transformation began. "Vidarbha's forests enriched my life for 45 years," he would often recall. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo After retiring as deputy chief conservator of forests in 1990, he continued to live and write from a modest apartment in Nagpur, surrounded by books in Marathi, English, Sanskrit, and German. His home became a lighthouse for budding nature writers and conservation enthusiasts. Chitampalli's literary legacy includes beloved classics like 'Pakshi Jaay Digantara', 'Janglach Den', and 'Ranwata' — books that opened up the secret world of birds, beasts, and trees to Marathi readers. His 'Pakshi Kosh', 'Prani Kosh', and 'Vruksha Kosh' are pioneering reference works that combine tribal wisdom with ecological knowledge, significantly enriching Marathi's nature vocabulary. He didn't just observe nature — he listened to it. He learned tribal dialects and recorded words and idioms that were fading from mainstream Marathi. His writing was not merely descriptive, but deeply evocative — capturing the stillness of a forest morning, the cry of a nesting bird, or the quiet dignity of a sacred tree. Chitampalli also played a key role in developing wildlife sanctuaries like Nagzira, Navegaon, and Karnala. He introduced terms such as 'Kaak Gaar' (rookery) and 'Dev Vriksha' (sacred trees), bringing ecological consciousness into cultural vocabulary. Earlier this year, he was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to literature and education. The recognition came during the first phase of Padma awards, which he received with humility — a crown that sat lightly on his head but weighed heavily in significance. Despite his advancing age, he continued writing, reflecting, and advocating for diary-writing among forest officers. "Without diaries, how will anyone truly observe nature?" he would ask — a simple question that revealed his lifelong faith in firsthand experience and quiet reflection. Chitampalli's passing marks the end of an era. For Nagpur and Vidarbha, he was not just a forest officer or writer — he was a mentor, a silent reformer, and a voice that taught the modern world how to reconnect with the ancient language of the woods. His final rites will be held in Solapur, but his spirit, his stories, and his love for the forests will remain forever in Vidarbha — the vanbhumi that shaped and cherished its Aranya Rishi. Nagpur: Maruti Bhujangrao Chitampalli, the legendary forest officer, naturalist, and Marathi writer who taught generations of Maharashtrians to read the forest like a sacred text, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, at the age of 93. Although he spent his final years in Solapur, his soul remained rooted in the forests of Vidarbha, where he spent the most meaningful decades of his life. Popularly known as 'Aranya Rishi' — the Forest Sage — Chitampalli was one of Maharashtra's finest nature writers and conservationists. His life was a seamless blend of scientific expertise, spiritual reflection, and literary brilliance. From Navegaon National Park to Nagzira and Karnala, his footprints are etched deep in the green heart of the state. Born in 1932 near Solapur, Chitampalli's bond with nature began in childhood under the influence of his mother. After completing his training at the Forest College in Coimbatore in 1958, he joined the Maharashtra forest department. But it was in the forests of Vidarbha, particularly during his posting in the 1970s at Navegaon, that his true transformation began. "Vidarbha's forests enriched my life for 45 years," he would often recall. After retiring as deputy chief conservator of forests in 1990, he continued to live and write from a modest apartment in Nagpur, surrounded by books in Marathi, English, Sanskrit, and German. His home became a lighthouse for budding nature writers and conservation enthusiasts. Chitampalli's literary legacy includes beloved classics like 'Pakshi Jaay Digantara', 'Janglach Den', and 'Ranwata' — books that opened up the secret world of birds, beasts, and trees to Marathi readers. His 'Pakshi Kosh', 'Prani Kosh', and 'Vruksha Kosh' are pioneering reference works that combine tribal wisdom with ecological knowledge, significantly enriching Marathi's nature vocabulary. He didn't just observe nature — he listened to it. He learned tribal dialects and recorded words and idioms that were fading from mainstream Marathi. His writing was not merely descriptive, but deeply evocative — capturing the stillness of a forest morning, the cry of a nesting bird, or the quiet dignity of a sacred tree. Chitampalli also played a key role in developing wildlife sanctuaries like Nagzira, Navegaon, and Karnala. He introduced terms such as 'Kaak Gaar' (rookery) and 'Dev Vriksha' (sacred trees), bringing ecological consciousness into cultural vocabulary. Earlier this year, he was honoured with the Padma Shri for his contribution to literature and education. The recognition came during the first phase of Padma awards, which he received with humility — a crown that sat lightly on his head but weighed heavily in significance. Despite his advancing age, he continued writing, reflecting, and advocating for diary-writing among forest officers. "Without diaries, how will anyone truly observe nature?" he would ask — a simple question that revealed his lifelong faith in firsthand experience and quiet reflection. Chitampalli's passing marks the end of an era. For Nagpur and Vidarbha, he was not just a forest officer or writer — he was a mentor, a silent reformer, and a voice that taught the modern world how to reconnect with the ancient language of the woods. His final rites will be held in Solapur, but his spirit, his stories, and his love for the forests will remain forever in Vidarbha — the vanbhumi that shaped and cherished its Aranya Rishi.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Wildlife conservationist and author Maruti Chitampalli passes away at 93
Noted wildlife conservationist and Marathi author Maruti Chitampalli passed away at the age of 93 at his residence in Solapur at around 8.30 pm on Wednesday due to age-related ailments. Referred by many as 'Aranyarishee' (forest sage), Chitampalli leaves behind a rich legacy spanning forest conservation, environmental awareness, and Marathi literature. Born on November 5, 1932, in Solapur, Chitampalli served in the Maharashtra Forest Department for over 36 years. During his tenure, he played a key role in wildlife and forest management, especially in ornithology, and represented India at several international conferences, presenting papers on biodiversity and conservation. He remained active in advisory roles even after retirement, contributing to academic and policy initiatives in the field of environment. An acclaimed writer, Chitampalli pioneered nature writing in Marathi with his vivid, lyrical descriptions of birds, forests, animals, and tribal life. His books Ranvata, Nisargachitre, Pakshimitra, and Junglecha Doctor introduced readers to the unseen, untouched rhythms of the wilderness. He seamlessly blended scientific observation with a literary sensibility, earning him a wide readership and inspiring generations of nature lovers and writers. In 2006, he presided over the 83rd Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan held in Solapur, using the platform to awaken ecological awareness among the Marathi-speaking public. His contributions were formally recognised with the Vinda Karandikar Jeevan Gaurav Puraskar in 2017 by the Government of Maharashtra. In April 2025, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his lifetime achievements in literature and environmental conservation. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said 'Chitampally sir, who knew 13 languages, expressed many of the wonders of nature in words. He put into words the knowledge possessed by the tribals. He told the world the language of birds. He made the knowledge he created, the Vanopanishad and Pakshikosha, available to us forever. While serving literature, he also held the post of president of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. For his comprehensive work, he was honoured with the Padma Shri Award this year.' Milind Joshi, president, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, said, 'With a blend of passion, deep study, and lived experience, Chitampalli carved a space for himself in Marathi literature. He gave voice to forests, animals, birds, and trees. His works introduced Marathi readers to tribal dialects and the mystical life of nature that had long remained unknown. His encyclopaedic compilations on birds, wildlife, and flora enriched Marathi lexicography. With his passing, we have lost a sage-like literary figure.' For the past decade, the Pune-based Adventure Foundation has been presenting the Maruti Chitampalli Nisargamitra Award in his honour. Its president, Vivek Deshpande, who shared a four-decade-long association with Chitampalli, recalled, 'We went on countless jungle safaris together. He taught me what it really means to conserve the forest. We had long hoped that he would receive the Padma Shri. Just two months ago, I spoke to him about the award and we were planning a felicitation event in Pune. Unfortunately, due to his ill health, he couldn't attend — a moment now lost forever. But the award named after him will continue to celebrate his legacy.'
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