Prof. Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal is a distinguished environmental scientist and academician with over 32 years of professional experience in scientific research, policy formulation, and higher education. His career spans nearly three decades as a Scientist and subsequent service as a Professor, reflecting sustained excellence in research leadership, institutional development, and environmental governance. His work has significantly contributed to national and state-level environmental planning, climate science, natural resource management and sustainable development, particularly in the Himalayan region.

Research Leadership & National Contributions

Prof. Kuniyal has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s environmental research and policy landscape. He prepared 13 District Environment Plans and one State Environment Plan for Uttarakhand, submitted to the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board in compliance with directives of the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT)

He supervised so far 19 doctoral candidates for their Ph.D. Degree in different multidisciplinary fields.
Prof. Kuniyal served as the Lead of a National Mission, heading the National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE, TF-3, Phase-II) under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, focusing on Forest Resources and Plant Biodiversity. He also successfully completed Phase-I of the same national mission. As Principal Investigator, Prof. Kuniyal has been a part of two National Network programmes (April 2007-November 6, 2025) at Mohal-Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) of ISRO under ISRO-GBP. The first was titled, 'Atmospheric Aerosol Radiative Forcing over India (ARFI)' which was funded by ISRO and executed through Space Physics Laboratory, VSSC, Thiruvanthapuram. While, the second was titled 'Atmospheric Chemistry, Transport and Modelling' (AT-CTM) which was funded by ISRO and executed through Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad.

Institution Building & Scientific Innovations

A key architect of long-term environmental monitoring infrastructure, Prof. Kuniyal established two Environmental Observatories at Mohal–Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) and Kosi–Katarmal, Almora (Uttarakhand) for aerosol, climate change, and atmospheric studies. His pioneering research spans forest resource and plant biodiversity, natural resource management, solid waste management, aerosol climatology, tourism carrying capacity, crop biodiversity, and Himalayan ecology, making him a leading authority in contemporary forest resource management and environmental sciences.

Publications, Books & Scholarly Impact

Prof. Kuniyal has an exceptional publication record with:

• 228 peer-reviewed research papers, including high-impact international journals

• 13 books, policy documents, and monographs, including 04 books (i.e., 4 2 authored and 2 edited)

• Cumulative Impact Factor: 274.7

• Citations:

  • Google Scholar: 3443

  • Research Gate: 3258

• h-Index: 33 (Google Scholar & ResearchGate)

• Research Interest Score (RG): 2954

These metrics underscore his sustained global research influence and academic credibility.

Funded Projects & Research Management

Prof. Kuniyal has demonstrated outstanding research management capabilities, having:

• Generated approximately ₹33 crores through externally funded R&D projects

• Completed 27 research projects (19 as Principal Investigator and 8 as Co-PI)

  When he moved to the university (VCSG UUHF), 04 ongoing externally funded projects at GBP-NIHE was handed over by him to his previous organisation.

  His ability to translate scientific ideas into funded, impactful research is a hallmark of his career.

Awards & Honors

Prof. Kuniyal has received several prestigious recognitions, including:

• Honorary Fellow, Bath Spa University, United Kingdom (2024)

• Lifetime Achievement Award (2015) for outstanding contribution, conferred by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh

• Gurukul State Award (2008) for significant contribution by Hon’ble Forest and Environment Minister of Himachal Pradesh

• Appreciation Award for Outstanding Contribution in Environment (2008) by Himalayan Paryavaran Evan Vanya Prani Surksha Smiti, Manali, Himachal Pradesh

• Prof. Pran Nath Mehra Young Scientist Award (2005) for outstanding work in Environmental Sciences (2007) by Prof. Pran Nath Mehra Trust, Patiala, India

• First Position in University during Post-Graduation Examination (1985)

  National and International Recognition

  Prof. Kuniyal has gained national and international recognition. He made so far 09 academic visits to Nepal, Thailand, China, and United Kingdom. He has served as a peer reviewer for prestigious, peer-reviewed publications and high quality interenational journals, mentor to mentees in the American Geographical Union (AGU), and many more. At the national level, he took the initiative to develop scientific answers through scientific reports to many environmental issues raised by by Hon’ble NGT brought up before the Himalayan States and Central Government. Consequently, he has served as an expert member of several state and national committees, including the High Powered Committee (HPC) for All Westher Roads, National Disaster Plan by NIDM and many others.

Eligibility for Best Researcher Award

In view of his over three decades of distinguished scientific service, exceptional research output, high citation impact, leadership of national missions, significant policy contributions, and substantial research funding mobilization, Prof. Jagdish Chandra Kuniyal eminently fulfills and exceeds the criteria for the Best Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels. His sustained excellence, national relevance, and international recognition firmly establish him as a deserving and exemplary candidate for this prestigious honor.