K S Valdiya

K S Valdiya is a distinguished Scientist, Academician, Author, and an active Environmentalist.

Internationally recognized for his path-breaking work in the fields of Geology and Environmental Science. In 2007, he was awarded the Padmashri for his outstanding contribution to Science.

His fields of specialization are Tectonics with special reference to active faults and Environmental Geology. His fundamental studies and research on the Uttarakhand Himalayas serves a template and a guide for interpreting the structural architecture of the entire Himalayas.

He has written over 110 research papers, authored 14 books, edited 9 books and penned 40 articles in Hindi towards popularization of science.

These include Geology of Kumaon Lesser Himalaya (1980), Aspects of Tectonics: Focus on South-central Asia (1984), Environmental Geology: Indian Context (1987), Dynamic Himalaya (1998), Saraswati, the River That Disappeared (2002), Geology, Environment and Society (2005), The Making of India: Geodynamic Evolution (2010), and Ek Thi Nadi Saraswati (2010).

KS Valdiya has been teaching graduate and post graduate courses in Earth Sciences, as well as guiding the work of Ph.D. candidates, post-doctoral scholars, and other researchers.

He has served as a Member of the Science Advisory Committee to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister (1983–1988), influencing National policy on Science and Environment.

Awards and Honours

KS Valdiya was awarded the Padmashri and the Hindi Sevi Sammaan (Atmaram Puraskaar) in 2007, the G.M Modi Award for Science and Environment in 2012, the National Mineral Award of Excellence in 1997, the D.N. Wadia Medal in 1995, the National Mineral Award in 1993,  the S.K. Mitra Award in 1991, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 1976 and the Chancellor’s Medal in 1954.

He was the Pitambar Pant Environment Fellow of Department of Environment & Forests (1982–1984) and the National Lecturer of University Grants Commission (1977–1978).

He is a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, India, Third World Academy of Sciences, Geological Society of India. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Geological Society of America and the Geological Society of Nepal. He has served as a Council Member in INSA (1984–1986), and as a Member, Science Advisory Committee of the Cabinet of the Prime Minister (1983–1988).