MYRA at 12:55, 9 March 2026

2026-03-09T12:55:25Z

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{{Short description|Indian ecologist and environmental scientist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Eklabya Sharma
| honorific_prefix = Dr.
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|05|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Darjeeling]], [[West Bengal]], India
| occupation = Ecologist, environmental scientist
| education = Banaras Hindu University (B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.)
| known_for = Research on Himalayan ecology, mountain sustainability
| awards = [[Padma Shri]] (2024)
}}

'''Eklabya Sharma''' (born 11 May 1958) is an Indian ecologist and [[Environmental science|environmental scientist]], known for his contributions to [[mountain ecosystem]] research and sustainable development in the [[Himalayan region]]. He was awarded the [[Padma Shri]], India's fourth-highest civilian honour, in 2024 for his work in environmental science.<ref name="padma2024">{{cite web |title=Padma Awards 2024 |url=https://www.padmaawards.gov.in/Document/pdf/CitationsForTickets/2024/2024110.pdf |website=Padma Awards |publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Sharma was born in [[Darjeeling district]], [[West Bengal]]. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate education at [[Banaras Hindu University]], earning a B.Sc. in 1977, an M.Sc. in botany in 1979, and a Ph.D. in ecology in 1985.<ref name="padma2024" />

== Career ==
Sharma's early research focused on nitrogen fixation by non-leguminous Himalayan Alder species in the Eastern Himalayas. He has worked extensively on the ecological challenges and sustainable development of mountain regions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2008-12-06 |title=New race to explore the Himalayas |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7765395.stm |access-date=2025-06-25 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=Padma Awards 2024: PM Modi sends heartfelt congratulations to recipients in special message – Check full list of Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan awardees here |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/business/defence-padma-awards-2024-pm-modi-sends-heartfelt-congratulations-to-recipients-in-special-message-check-full-list-of-padma-bhushan-padma-shri-padma-vibhushan-awardees-here-3375696/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=The Financial Express |language=en}}</ref>

He served as the Director of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), where he played a key role in launching the ''Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment'', involving over 300 experts across multiple countries.<ref>{{cite news |title=Padma Shri for Kurseong man Dr Eklabya Sharma |url=https://www.thestatesman.com/bengal/padma-shri-for-kurseong-man-dr-eklabya-sharma-1503263950.html |work=The Statesman |date=26 January 2024 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

Sharma has also contributed to various international scientific and policy forums, including the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC), the [[Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]] (IPCC), and the [[Convention on Biological Diversity]] (CBD).<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr. Eklabya Sharma |url=https://www.atree.org/profile/eklabya-sharma |website=ATREE |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

== Advisory and professional roles ==
Sharma has held several advisory roles:
* Chairperson, Scientific Advisory Committee, [[G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment]]
* Strategic Advisor, [[Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment]] (ATREE)
* Trustee, The Mountain Institute, USA
* Director, International Mountain Society, Switzerland
* Member, Steering Committee, UNEP's Global Mountain Waste Management Outlook
* Advisor, Chief Minister's Office, Government of Sikkim<ref>{{cite web |last1=Times |first1=Siliguri |title=Dr Eklabya Sharma to receive Padma Shri |url=https://siliguritimes.com/dr-eklabya-sharma-from-darjeeling-district-to-be-honored-with-padma-shri-award/ |website=Siliguri Times |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

== Awards and honours ==
* [[Padma Shri]] (2024)<ref name="padma2024" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Padma Awards 2024 announced |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1999790 |website=Press Information Bureau |publisher=Government of India |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=25 June 2025}}</ref>
* Young Scientist Medal, [[Indian National Science Academy]] (INSA)
* Vishisht Vaigyanik Puraskar, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India
* Honorable Mention Paper Award, Soil and Water Conservation Society, USA
* Excellence Award from Government of Sikkim and Sikkim University
* Social Status Award, Government of Sikkim<ref>{{cite news |title=Ecologist, craftsman and singer from North Bengal and Sikkim to receive Padma Shri in 2024 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/ecologist-craftsman-and-singer-from-north-bengal-and-sikkim-to-receive-padma-shri-in-2024/cid/1996386 |work=The Telegraph |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

== Fellowships ==
* Fellow, [[Indian National Science Academy]] (INSA)
* Fellow, [[National Academy of Sciences, India]] (NASI)<ref>{{cite news |title=Boroloker biti lo singer, Chhau dancer among 11 Padma recipients from Bengal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/boroloker-biti-lo-singer-chhau-dancer-among-11-padma-recipients-from-bengal/articleshow/107196327.cms |work=The Times of India |date=25 January 2024 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

== Selected works ==
Sharma has published extensively on Himalayan ecology and sustainable mountain development.<ref>{{cite web |title=Google Scholar – Dr. Eklabya Sharma |url=https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=AJMt7TQAAAAJ&hl=en |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BOTANICAL RICHNESS IN WILD EDIBLE PLANTS OF SIKKIM HIMALAYA |url=https://www.researchgate.net/figure/BOTANICAL-RICHNESS-IN-WILD-EDIBLE-PLANTS-OF-SIKKIM-HIMALAYA-AND-A-COMPARISON-WITH-INDIA_tbl1_225233302 |access-date=24 June 2025}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Ecology of the Himalayas]]
* [[Mountain research]]
* [[International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=AJMt7TQAAAAJ&hl=en Google Scholar profile]
* [https://www.atree.org/profile/eklabya-sharma ATREE profile]

{{2000s Padma Shri Award Recipients in Science & Engineering}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharma, Eklabya}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian ecologists]]
[[Category:Indian environmental scientists]]
[[Category:Banaras Hindu University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Darjeeling district]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Indian National Science Academy]]
[[Category:Fellows of the National Academy of Sciences, India]]
[[Category:ICIMOD people]]

Eklabya Sharma - Revision history

MYRA at 12:55, 9 March 2026