Seturam Gopalrao Neginhal

Sethuram Gopalrao Neginhal (1 May 1929 2 May 2021) was an Indian forest official and conservationist who is credited with generating the green cover around the Indian city of Bangalore leading to the city being referred to as The Garden City. He was associated with the launch of Project Tiger and led wildlife conservation actions including development of the Bandipur Tiger Reserve. In addition to being an expert on wildlife and plant life he was an awarded wildlife photographer.

Early life Neginhal was born in Dharwad, then a part of the Bombay Presidency in British India on 1 May 1929. He credited the experiences with his father as an inspiration for his love of the forests and him following in his father's footsteps.

Career Neginhal started his career as an officer of the Indian Forest Service in 1972 with a posting in Mysore as a wildlife officer in charge of Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, and the Billigirirangana hills. He retired as the principal chief surveyor of forests in Karnataka. Considered a pioneer of Urban forestry in India, he and his team of volunteers went door to door asking residents for their choice of trees to be planted in front of their houses.

Awards His involvement in the urban forestry exercise of such a large scale helped the Karnataka Forest Department (Bangalore Urban Division) win the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, for the outstanding greening of the city. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and E Hanumantha Rao Trust bestowed upon him the Wild-Life Photography Award for 2012 and The Kumble Foundation presented him with "Outstanding Civil Servant Award" in 2010, for his contributions to forestry and wildlife.

Personal life Neginhal died on 2 May 2021, of complications from COVID-19. He had turned 92 the day before. He was married and had a son and four daughters.

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