A prominent advocate of the advanced locality management, he passed away in Lilavati Hospital

Darryl D’Monte, senior journalist, columnist, and environment crusader, passed away in Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital on Saturday. He had been treated for cancer, and was in remission. On Saturday evening, he developed breathing problems and was admitted to hospital. He passed away a few hours later. He was 76.

D’Monte was editor of The Times of India’s Sunday Review, and was the Mumbai resident editor for The Indian Express and The Times of India. After his retirement, he continued to write frequently for publications across the country, including The Hindu. He wrote the books Ripping the Fabric: The Decline of Mumbai and its Mills and Temples or Tombs? Industry Versus Environment.

A prominent advocate of the advanced locality management (ALM) movement, which involved citizens in the care of their neighbourhoods, he was the president of the Bandra West Residents Association. He was also a trustee of the Mumbai Waterfronts Centre, a member of Apna Mumbai Abhiyan, chair of the Celebrate Bandra Trust, and a former convener of the Celebrate Bandra festival. D’Monte also devoted himself to environmental issues, and networking environmental journalists in India and the world. He was chair of the Forum of Environmental Journalists of India, and founder-president of the International Federation of Environmental Journalists.

Zarine D’Monte, wife of Darryl D’Monte, during the funeral on Sunday.

Friends, colleagues and associates paid tribute to him on social media.

Ramachandra Guha

“Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Darryl D’Monte, a reporter and editor of great courage and shining integrity. Darryl was gentle, good, warm, generous, and upright. He brought enormous credit to his profession, and to his country. His work and example shall live on. Darryl D’Monte uniquely combined professional excellence with nobility of character. He was deeply devoted to his native Bandra; his patriotism began there, extending outwards to embrace his city and country.”

Rajdeep Sardesai

“My first editor, and one of the finest human beings I have encountered in life and journalism, Darryl D’Monte has just passed away. Generous in spirit and a sensitive soul, he helped build a terrific team of reporters for the TOI in Mumbai in the 80s/90s. Will miss you sir! RIP.”

Bachi Karkaria

“Darryl D’Monte, friend, colleague, echo [eco] warrior, Mumbai minder, gentleman RIP.”

Ayaz Memon

“Darryl D’monte was a warm man and fine journalist of uncompromising integrity. Few in the country wrote on environmental matters with as much authority and distinction. RIP.”

Nikhil Wagle

“Darryl D’Monte is no more. A true journalist who cared for people. Will always remember his support in the difficult days of Mahanagar. An exceptional editor who loved Mumbai.”

Salil Tripathi

“Darryl D’monte was an outstanding journalist of integrity and compassion, who cared deeply for the environment and the city. Generous and warm, he set the standard by which journalists should be judged. I will miss him hugely, like many lucky enough to have known/worked with him.”

Sagarika Ghose

“The gentle, genial yet tough editor Darryl D’monte, former editor of @timesofindia Mumbai passes away. A gentleman of the old school, with a passionate & pioneering commitment to environment issues, a role model for so many of us. Godspeed Darryl, heaven gains a fine soul.”

Kalpana Sharma

“Darryl D’Monte, a friend, a colleague, a comrade. They don’t make people like you. Go gently into the night. RIP.”

Pritish Nandy

“Darryl D’Monte was a friend and colleague of mine during my days in The Times of India. A warm and wonderful person, he shall be missed by everyone who knew him. RIP.”

Shabana Azmi

“Deeply saddened by the passing away of Darryl D’monte [senior] journalist and author, crusader for environmental concerns. He was a fellow traveller and an inspiration. RIP.”

Paromita Vohra

“I think one of Darryl’s special qualities was how much he encouraged young people, how seriously he took us, and how kind and courteous he always was, besides being consistent in his political commitment. These qualities are everyday rarer. RIP #DarrylDMonte.”

Amitav Ghosh

“A great loss; Darryl D’monte was an exceptionally thoughtful environmental journalist and a kind, generous man.”

Paranjoy Guha Thakurta

“Good night Darryl. Will miss you dearly. You were among the first generation of journalists in India who highlighted environmental issues.”

Khalid Mohamed

“FAREWELL DARRYL D’MONTE.. an inspiration, mentor n my generation’s ideal touchstone in journalism n truthspeak. Rest in glory Darryl.”

Bittu Sahgal

“Farewell Darryl! You were an original... intelligent, empathetic, effective and ethical... with a twinkling sense of fun. You were more than a friend, you were a voice of calm sanity even when turmoil was thrust upon us all. You will be very well remembered.