Emeritus Scientist, Uttarakhand Council for Science & Technology. Former Dean & Director, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, India. Councilor, Integrated Mountain Initiative Vice Chair, Sustainable Development Forum, Uttarakhand.

Dr. Gopal Singh Rawat has been actively engaged in teaching, research and academic activities since last 42 years. His areas of research include Plant Systematics and Vegetation Science, Ecology and Management of Alpine Vegetation, and Wildlife Habitat Ecology with special reference to Himalayan region. He has Ph. D. and D. Sc. degrees in Botany from Kumaon University Nainital. He is recipient of prestigious T.N. Khoshoo Memorial Award for 2019. He has published over 300 research papers and several books based on his research. He has guided more than 35 Ph. D. students and 15 Masters dissertations. His other experiences include working as Chief Scientist, Ecosystem Services at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) at Kathmandu (2011-14), Member, Task Force on Mountain Ecosystems for the Planning Commission during (2006-08), Member of IUCN (SSC) Orchid and Medicinal Plant Specialist Groups and an expert member, Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Asia-Pacific region. He is a member of Planning Board, U.T. Government of Ladakh.