Couple of years ago, Maruti Chitampalli being felicitated by BNHS Director Kishor Rithe.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Mumbai: Noted environmentalist, wildlife expert and writer Maruti Chitampalli, fondly known as ‘Aranya Rishi’, passed away on Wednesday.
Chitampalli was in his nineties.
He passed away at his residence in Solapur, marking an end to a life dedicated to forests, wildlife, and conservation literature.
Chitampalli had been unwell and bedridden since returning from Delhi after receiving the prestigious Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu on April 30, 2025.
It needs to be mentioned, Chitampalli completed schooling and enrolled himself in State Forest Service College in Coimbatore.
Thereafter, he joined the forest services in Maharashtra from where he retired as Deputy Chief Conservator of Forests. He has worked extensively in the Vidarbha region.
An author of 25 books on wildlife, he also presided over the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan at Solapur in 2006 – a rare distinction for a wildlifer.
As news about Chitampalli's passing spread, tributes poured in.
"Chitampally Sir is an ideal example of how much one should be united with one's work while working in the forest department. He lived the role of a monk. 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," wrote CM Devendra Fadnavis.
"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 A.B.A. Marathi Sahitya Sammelan. In honor of his comprehensive work, he was honored with the Padma Shri Award this year. His passing has left a void that will never be filled. I pay my heartfelt tributes to him," the CM added.