Dr. V. P. Uniyal is a distinguished Scientist and ecologist, with a wealth of experience in the field of biodiversity and natural heritage conservation. Formerly serving as Scientist-G and Senior Professor at the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun,
With over three decades of dedicated service, Dr. Uniyal has made exceptional contributions to Himalayan ecology, biodiversity assessment, ecosystem services, and the development of long-term ecological monitoring strategies. His research integrates field-based ecological studies with community mobilization, engaging ethnic stakeholders within the Protected Area Networks of the Indian western and trans-Himalaya. This approach has yielded novel insights into Himalayan faunal ecology, blending indigenous traditional knowledge with innovative conservation strategies.
As a distinguished entomologist, Dr. Uniyal has led pioneering research on arthropod ecology, establishing invertebrates as bioindicators to assess ecological health in Himalayan landscapes and gauge community responses to anthropogenic and climate-mediated changes. He has completed over 30 research projects, resulting in the publication of 150 research papers, scientific reports, and four influential books and field guides. His mentorship has guided over 25 Ph.D. students and supported the research endeavors of 35 Master’s dissertations.
Beyond research, Dr. Uniyal has played a pivotal role in national and international ecological expeditions, including the Nanda Devi Ecological Expedition in 2001 and the invertebrate study in the Kailash Mansarovar in 2014 under the Kailash Secret Landscape Project of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal.
Dr. Uniyal has also served as a consultant for esteemed international organizations such as The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), Govt. of Nepal, and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), contributing to projects aimed at sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.
As an academician, Dr. Uniyal is a member of academic council and boards of studies of various Indian universities and shared his research findings with numerous international research institutions and universities across the globe, including Japan, China, Italy, Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland, USA, UK, Germany, Sri Lanka and Nepal, to name a few.
In recognition of his profound contributions to arthropod research, Dr. Uniyal has been honored with a sac spider species named Clubiona uniyali (Araneae: Clubionidae), discovered from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. This recognition not only celebrates his extensive work but also his enduring impact on the study and conservation of lesser-known biodiversity across the Himalaya
