Chaitram Deochand Pawar

Chaitram Deochand Pawar, also known as Chaitram Pawar, is an Indian social worker from Maharashtra, India. He was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award of India, in 2025 in the field of social work for his efforts in afforestation, water conservation, and wildlife conservation. ^{[1] [2]} He is the president of Devgiri Kalyan Ashram, Dhule. ^[3] He is from the Konkani tribe.

Pawar has led water and forest conservation efforts in the Bharipada village of Maharashtra’s Dhule district, reportedly leading to construction of over 500 check dams and trenches, and improving the groundwater levels and irrigation in the area. ^{[4] [5]} His efforts have also contributed to biodiversity conservation providing shelter to 8 endangered animal species and 48 bird species, and preserving 435 species of trees, creepers, and shrubs. ^[1]

He was felicitated with Sant Eshwer Vishisht Sewa Samman in 2019 from the Sant Eshwer foundation. ^[6]

References

1. "Padma awards 2025 highlights: Vasudevan Nair gets Padma Vibhushan (posthumous), Sreejesh, Nandamuri Balakrishna and Ajith Kumar get Padma Bhushan, R. Ashwin gets Padma Shri". The Hindu. 2025-01-25. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
2. "Padma Awards: Pankaj Udhas, Kumudini Lakhia among awardees". english.gujaratsamachar.com. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
3. "Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari amends Tribal Rights Act; activists not happy with the move". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
4. "Padma Award: पद्मश्री पुरस्काराने सन्मानित कोण आहेत चैत्राम पवार ?". NDTV Marathi (in Marathi). Retrieved 2025-06-14.
5. "The Man Who Stopped a Drought: The Untold Story of Chaitram Pawar". The Brighter World. 2025-05-27. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
6. "Chaitram Pawar". Sant Eshwer. Retrieved 2025-06-14.