Director Profile

Dr.K.S.Pant is as easoned academician and researcher who obtained his foundational degree, B.Sc.(Agriculture) with a specialization in Forestry from HPKV, Palampur in 1988. He then pursued his M.Sc. in Forestry with a specialization in Forest Biology and Tree Improvement at Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P) in 1991. Dr. Pant subsequently completed his doctoral studies in 1995, specializing inadvanced Tree Improvement techniques, focusing on genetic variation and resilience among Himalayan tree species.

Since beginning his professional journey as a Research Associate, Dr. Pant has dedicated over three decades to the fields of forestry and agroforestry.  At Dr. Y.S. Parmar UHF,  he advanced through academic and research roles to become a leading professor. He has held pivotal roles, including Joint Director (Forestry), Directorate of Research, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (H.P), Professor &Head, Department of Deptt. of Silviculture and Agroforestry, College of Horticulture & Forestry, UHF, Neri, Hemirpur (H.P), Officer Incharge AICRP-Agro forestry, Central Superintendent Examination and Warden. His leadership has been instrumental in driving research that supports sustainable forest management and agro forestry practices, particularly focusing on the restoration of degraded lands and enhancement o f agro forestry’s economicviability for Himalayan communities. Dr. Pant served as member college steering committee, member board of study, at College of Forestry, UHF, Nauni. Beside this Dr. Pant also served as member senate an apex boby of the University, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry,Nauni, Solan (H.P) for 2years.

Dr. Pant’s research portfolio includes significant contributions to agro forestry system management, particularly through innovations in tree spacing, integrated nutrient tmanagement, and organic farming methodologies that optimize growth and carbonse questration in multipurpose tree systems. His studies have highlighted the benefits of agro forestry in soil health improvement, erosion control, and the economic sustainability ofagroforestry crops under varying climatic conditions. His work on the carbon storage potentialof agro forestry systems in North-Western Himalayas has gained national recognition, with findings that form sustainable agro forestry practices in similar ecological zones.

Dr. Pant is a prolific author with over 75 research papers, 8 book chapters, 5 Bulletin and 1teaching manual in highly regarded peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Pant has also developed 2 e-coursesfore-learningICARportal.Hiscontributionstobookchaptersandtechnicalbulletins on agroforestry have enriched scientificliterature and served asvaluable resourcesfor practitioners. Dr. Pant has also served as Vice President in Teacher Association UHF, Nauni.

Dr. Pant was selected as Associate Dean, College of Agriculture Garhwa, Birsa Agriculture University. Among his accolades, the UNDP Fellowship (1988-1990) stands out, along withthe Best Teacher Award, 2020 by AIASA, ICAR, acknowledging his exceptional mentorship andcontributions to forestry sciences. Dr. Pant has also received Akhand Siksha Jyoti Award from Govt. of Himachal Pradesh. His commitment to academic excellence is evident throughhis impressive accomplishments, including receiving the Best Poster Presentation Award atan international conference heldin Nauni. His publications cover a wide range of topics,including genetic diversity, soil improvement practices, and adaptive agroforestry systems forclimate resilience.

A dedicated educator, Dr.Pant has supervised 26 M.Sc. and 21 Ph.D. students, many of whom have made their own contributions to agro forestry and forestry science.He has organized a range of workshops and training programs, including practical demonstrations for agro forestry techniques tailored to local conditions. His efforts in community engagement, such as village-level trainings, exhibitions, and farmer interactions,have been crucialin translating academic research into actionable knowledge for rural development and sustainable agro forestry practices. Dr. Pant has delivered more than 180 invited talks at various state andnational level to benefit the stakeholders and farmers. Beside this Dr. Pant has also deliveredRadioandTVtalksatvariousfrequencies of All India Radio (AIR), Shimal and Hamirpur.

Dr. Pant has developed many location specific agroforestry model such as stone fruit (Peach,Plum and Apricot) based agroforestry model/system, wild pomegranate (Daru + Field crop)based agro forestry model, fodder (Grewia&Morus) based agro forestry model and Timber (Melia and Poplar) based agro forestry model.

Dr.Pant is a dedicated member of several professional organizations, reflecting his commitment to advancing forestry and agroforestry as essential fields in environmental andsocio-economic sustainability. He is a Fellow of the Society of  Tropical Agriculture, amember of the Indian Society of Agroforestry, and serves on numerous national scientificcommittees. His active involvement includes roles on peer review panels, scientific advisoryboards, and project steering committees. Dr. Pant’s affiliations provide him with platforms toinfluenceforestry and agroforestry policies,contribute toscientific discourse,andmentorearly-career researchers. His engagements in national and regional forums strengthen his vision off ostering collaborative efforts for the advancement of agro forestry.

Dr. Amol Vasishth  has vast experience of working in temperate, subtropical and tropical forest regions of the country with specialization in Forest Products & Utilization including non timber forest products. He had successfully completed his graduation in Forestry and Master of Science and Ph.D.in Forestry with specialization of Forest Products from Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan (HP). He has Professional Experience of more than sixteen years of Teaching, Research and Extension. He started his career as Research Associate in Forest Products & Utilization Department, College of Forestry, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan (HP) and afterwards joined as Assistant Professor in Forestry with specialization in Forest Products and Utilization, College of Horticulture and Forestry. Jhalawar, Maharana Partap University of Agriculture & Technology, Udaipur (Rajasthan) in 2007 and in the year 2016 he was selected as Associate Professor (Medicinal and Aromatic plants), College of Forestry, Navsari Agriculture University, Navsari (Gujarat). Whereas in the year 2018 he joined in the same post as Associate Professor Forest Products & Utilization in College of Forestry, Ranichauri  and assigned  additional charge of Associate Director Research VCSG Uttarakhand University of Horticulture & Forestry, Bharsar – Pauri Garhwal (UK). Presently he is also holding the charge of Nodal officer Mali Training Centre, Partap Nagar and Research and Extension Centre Jakhinda and Officer Incharge Research & Extension Centre, Sealqui.

Dr. Amol Vasishth taught various courses of Forestry in Forest Products & Utilization, Silviculture, Agro Forestry and handled many Research Projects of Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Department of Science Technology, Government of Rajasthan, National Afforestation and Eco development Board, Department of Biotechnology , National Medicinal Plant Board and Rashtriya Kisan Vikas Yojana. He has more than sixty seven Publications in the form of  research and poplar articles, book Chapters and abstracts . He has bagged Best Paper Award  from Soil Conservation Society of India and attended International Training on Carbon stock assessment and carbon Finance organized by World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) in Training centre for tropical Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability (TREES) at University of Philippines Los Banos (UPLB) College Laguna Philippines from 8-15 July, 2013 in Philippines. He was Head Forest Products & Utilization Department, College of Forestry, Navsari