Well-famed green activist, Shyam Chainani (68), succumbed to cancer at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday night.

The co-founder of the Bombay Environmental Action Group (BEAG), he was better known as the Father of the Heritage Conservation movement in India.

Environmentalists in both Pune and Mumbai come from Chainani as a pioneering green activist. He was also a bachelor.

Chainani was better known for securing the critical, eco-sensitive status in case of twin hill stations of Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani in 2001.

Although inhabitant of Mumbai, Chainani who headed the tradition of conservation movement even in Pune.

Sujit Patwardhan, who was better known as the environmental NGO, Parisar, explained DNA, stated that Shyam which performed a vital role in conserving and saving Vishram Baug Wada. He further brought pressure at the same time the civic body by offering support of the Archaeological Survey of India.

It was considered to be one of the firsts to receive Pune monuments and heritage structures that was ranked and was the driving force present at the formation of the Pune heritage committees.