• Screen Reader Access
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to navigation
  • WII Webmail
  • Intranet
  • Connect
  • RTI
  • Old Website
Wildlife Institute of India, an Autonomous Institute of MoEFCC, Govt. of India
  • About WII
    • Mandate & Background
    • Campus
    • Virtual Tour
    • Facilities
    • Governance & Administration
    • WII-SACON
    • Rules & Regulations
  • People
    • Director
    • Dean
    • Registrar
    • Faculty
    • Officers/Staff
    • Who's who
    • Current Fellows & Students
      • PhD Students
      • MSc Students
      • Trainees
    • Our Alumni
      • Former Directors
      • Alumni Search
    • WII Directory
  • Academics
    • Full Time Programs
      • Masters Programs
      • PhD Programs
    • Short Term Courses
      • Certificate Course in Heritage Management
      • International course on Heritage Conservation
      • Wildlife Enthusiasts Course
      • Course in Wildlife Trade & Forensics for Revenue Officers
    • Professional Courses
      • PG Diploma in Wildlife
      • Certificate Course in Wildlife Management
      • Certificate Course in National Heritage
    • Customized Courses & Trainings
    • Publications
      • Annual Reports
      • Research Reports
      • Books
      • Manuals & Guidelines
      • Popular Articles
      • Software
      • Tiger reports
      • Newsletter
  • Research
    • Departments & Faculty
      • Animal Ecology & Conservation Biology
      • Eco Development Planning & Participatory Management
      • Endangered Species Management
      • Habitat Ecology
      • Landscape Level Planning & Management
      • Protected Area Network, Wildlife Management & Conservation Education
      • Population Management, Capture & Rehabilitation
      • Wildlife Health Management
    • National Centers
      • South India Center (SACON)
      • WII-UNESCO C2C
      • Pashmina Certification Center
      • EIACP Program Center
      • NMCG Center
    • Cells
      • Academic Cell
      • Research, Recruitment, & Extension
      • Captive Breeding & Zoo Management
      • Conservation Advisory & Policy Cell
      • Elephant Cell
      • Information Technology, Remote Sensing, GIS & Audio-Visual
      • Tiger Cell
      • Wildlife Forensic & Conservation Genetics Cell
      • Wildlife Policy Research & International Convention
      • EIACP
    • LABS & Repositories
      • National Repository for Wildlife & Research Lab
      • Wildlife Forensic & Conservation Genetics Lab
      • Herbarium
      • Landscape Ecology Lab
      • RS & GIS Lab
      • Wildlife Technology Lab
      • Wildlife Health Lab
    • Ongoing Projects
    • Past Projects
    • Collaborators & Partner Agencies
  • Opportunities
    • Work with Us
    • PhD in Wildlife Science
    • Full Time Masters Programs
    • Internships & Dissertations
    • Volunteer
    • Research Affiliate
  • Resources
    • Library & Documentation Centre
    • Publications
      • Annual Reports
      • Research Reports
      • Books
      • Manuals & Guidelines
      • Popular Articles
      • Software
      • Tiger Reports
      • Newsletter
    • Journal of Wildlife Science
    • Online Videos
    • Virtual Herbarium
    • IRINS
    • ONOS
    • M-STrIPES
    • ENVIS
    • Related Links
  • राजभाषा
Search

Scientist Profile

  • Scientist Profile

Dr. Amit Kumar

image
Dr. Amit Kumar
Scientist - D

Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun 248001, India.

+91-0135-2646207, +91-9012701362

amit [at] wii [dot] gov [dot] in

 

About

Since a young age, I've been fascinated by plants, wanting to know their names, how and where they grow, and how they differ from one another. With time, my fascination grew into a desire to learn more about plants, which led me to pursue a bachelor's degree in forestry from the University of Horticulture and Forestry in Himachal Pradesh, as well as M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in forestry from the Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun.

I had the privilege of investigating the flora and ecology of the cold-arid and Trans-Himalayan zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in my doctoral thesis. Delineation of a new biogeographic province in the Trans-Himalaya, designation of Caragana versicolor as a keystone species, flora of NDBR, and discovery of a few new species in one of the least explored regions of the Western Himalaya were a few outcomes of the thesis.

I joined the Wildlife Institute of India as a faculty in May 2018. Prior to joining WII, I was a faculty at the Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun. Currently, I am a visiting faculty at the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy in Dehradun and the Institute of Mountaineering in Pune to teach systematic botany and Himalayan flora, respectively.

Plant ecology & interaction and field botany are the main focuses of my research. My current research includes understanding vegetation patterns, plant associations, floristic diversity assessment, ethnobotany, and the threatened medicinal plants conservation in the Himalaya. I enjoy photographing plants, hiking, biking, singing, and playing table tennis.

Academic Positions
  • Herbarium Curator, WII (https://herbarium.wii.gov.in)
Education
  • Ph.D. Forestry (Forest Ecology and Environment) at Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun (Research Center: Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun)
  • M.Sc. Forestry at Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun
  • B.Sc. Forestry at Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan, Himachal Pradesh
Research Interest
  • Plant Ecology
  • Interaction and Field botany/Phyto-taxonomy
Publications
  • Sahu, H., Purohit, P., Mishra, A. P., Kumar, A., Sardar, P., Đurin, B., & Rathnayake, U. (2025). Traditional knowledge in soil management and water conservation: Perspectives from the agrodiverse state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, 22(2), 1-18.
  • Bushra, A., Stanzin, J., Kumar, A., Talukdar, G., Padalia, H., & Rawat, G. S. (2024). On the occurrence of Sorbus tianschanica Rupr. (Rosaceae), a climate relict from Ladakh, Indian Trans-Himalaya. International Journal of Environmental Studies, 81(6), 2777-2789. 
  • Bhatt, S., Kumar, A., Arunachalam, A., & Arunachalam, K. (2024). Ethnomedicinal Diversity and Traditional Knowledge System of the Jaunsari Tribe in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences, 94(1), 177-192.
  • Patra R, Kumar S, Sahu H, Kumar A. (2023). Noteworthy observations on bee predators in the Rajaji Tiger Reserve, India. Species, 24: e56s1559
  • Mishra, A. P., Kumar, A., & Yadav, S. N. (2023). Ecology and conservation of threatened medicinal plants in the Trans-Himalayan region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya. Trees, Forests and People, 14, 100451.
  • Mishra AP, Chandra N, Kumar A, Sharma S, Singh G. (2023). Mesosphaerum suaveolens (L.) Kuntz.: A serious threat to Uttarakhand’s first Ramsar site, India. Species, 24: e57s1558
  • Mishra, A. P., Kumar, S., Patra, R., Kumar, A., Sahu, H., Chandra, N., Pande, C.B. & Alshehri, F. (2023). Physicochemical parameters of water and its implications on avifauna and habitat quality. Sustainability, 15(12), 9494.
  • Bargali, H., Kumar, A., and Singh, P. (2022). Plant studies in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya: a comprehensive review. Trees Forests and People, 8: 100203. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2022.100203
  • Kumar, A., Adhikari B.S. and Rawat G.S. (2022). A hierarchy of landscape-habitat-plant physiognomic classes in the Indian Trans-Himalaya. Trees Forests and People, 7: 100172. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2021.100172
  • Sharma, M., Mathela, M., Sharma, R., Bargali, H., Goraya, G.S. and Kumar, A. (2022). Counting the cost: high demand puts Bunium persicum (Boiss.) B.Fedtsch. in jeopardy. Journal of Threatened Taxa 14(1): 20530–20533. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6831.14.1.20530-20533
  • Kumar, A., Vishnoi, P. and Gupta, A.K. (2022) People’s Biodiversity Register in India: Its genesis, significance, and way forward. Zoo’s Print 37(3): 03–09.
  • Bargali, H., Mathela, M., Sharma, R., Sharma, M., Yaming, D., and Kumar, A. (2021). Plant studies in Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya: a systematic review. Journal of Mountain Science 18(7):1856-1873. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-020-6401-z" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1007/s11629-020-6401-z
  • Mathela, M., Kumar, A., Sharma, M., and Goraya, G.S. (2021). Hue and cry for Fritillaria cirrhosa D.Don, a threatened medicinal plant in the Western Himalaya. Discover Sustainability 2:38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-021-00048-5" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-021-00048-5
  • Kumar, A., Page, N., Adhikari, B.S., Nair, M. and Rawat, G.S. (2021). On the rediscovery of a rare root parasite Gleadovia ruborum Prain & Gamble (Orobanchaceae) from Uttarakhand, western Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(8):19185–19188. DOI: 10.11609/jott.6686.13.8.19185-19188
  • Kumar, S., Dolia J., Chaudhary, V., Kumar, A. and Das, A. (2021). Black-bellied Coral Snake Sinomicrurus nigriventer (Wall, 1908) (Elapidae): an extended distribution in the western Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(7):18939-18942. DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7022.13.7.18939-18942" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7022.13.7.18939-18942
  • Sharma, R., Sharma, M., Mathela, M., Bargali, H. and Kumar, A. (2021). A unique archetype of conservation in Himachal Pradesh, western Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(6):18647–18650. DOI: http://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6421.13.6.18647-18650" target="_blank">http://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6421.13.6.18647-18650
  • 4. Sharma, M., Sharma, R., Bargali, H., Mathela, M., and Kumar, A. (2020). The Majestic Bhatoris of Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh. Sanctuary Asia 40(12).
  • Boruah, B., Kumar, A. and Das, A. (2020). Cirsium wallichii DC. (Asteraceae): a key nectar source of butterflies. Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(14):17049–17056.
  • Ahmad, Arif., Kumar, A., Rawat, G.S. and Gopi G.V. (2020). Recent record of a threatened holoparasitic plant Sapria himalayana Griff. in Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(10): 16399-16401.
  • Mathela, M., Bargali, H., Sharma, M., Sharma, R., and Kumar, A. (2020). Brainstorming on the future of the highly threatened medicinal plants of the Western Himalaya, India. Current Science 118(10): 1485-1486.
  • Adhikari, B.S., Kumar, A. and Bhardwaj A.K. (2020). Floristic diversity and patterns of vegetation in and around Siswan Community Reserve in Punjab, India. Indian Forester 146 (2): 125-135.
  • Kumar, A., Srivastav M., Adhikari, B.S. and Rawat, G.S. (2019). Plant studies in first Himalayan Biosphere Reserve: a review. Journal of Mountain Science 16(2): 351-363.
  • Sharma, S., Kumar, A., Srivastava, A., Kholia, B.S. and Bargali S.S. (2019). Commercialization—a suggested approach for the conserving a threatened fern, Pteris tricolor Linden. Current Science 116(11): 1790-1792.
  • Sharma, M., Kumar, A., Sharma, S. and Singh K.P. (2019). Morphological anomaly in Shorea robusta Gaertn. Seeds in Uttarakhand, India. Indian Forester 145(5): 492-493.
  • Vishwakarma, A., Sati, S., Kumar, A., Singh, A., Ben, V.C. and Gopi, G.V. (2019). Flame of the forest: Unusual flowering in Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. In Sahyadri Tiger Reserve in northern Western Ghats, India. Plantasia# 9, In: Zoo’s Print 34(2): 18-20.
  • Sharma, S., Kumar, A., Kholia, B.S. and Bargali S.S. (2018). New pteridophytic records from Mizoram, North-East India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 10(6): 11822-11826.
  • Kumar, A., Adhikari B.S. and Rawat G.S. (2017). Biogeographic delineation of the Indian Trans-Himalaya: Need for revision. Current Science113(6): 1032-33.
  • Rai I.D., Kumar A., Singh G., Adhikari B.S. and Rawat G.S. (2017). Three noteworthy additions to the flora of Western Himalaya, India and update on their phytogeography. Journal of Threatened Taxa9(7): 10421-10425.
  • Sharma, S., Kholiya, B.S., Kumar R. and Kumar, A. (2017). Pteridophytic diversity in human inhabited areas of Murlen National Park, Mizoram. Check List: The Journal of Biodiversity Data13(2): 2081.DOI: https://doi.org/10.15560/13.2.2081" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.15560/13.2.2081
  • Mitra, M., Kumar, A., Adhikari, B.S. and Rawat, G.S. (2017). Fuelwood resources and their use pattern by Bhotia community in Niti valley, Western Himalaya. Botanica Orientalis 10: 1-6.
  • Jiju J.S., Kumar A. and Uniyal V.P. (2017). Preliminary study on diversity of pollinators in Navdanya Organic Farm Dehradun:  Case Study. The Indian Forester143(10): 1042-1045.
  • Kumar, A., Adhikari B.S., Sharma, S. and Rawat G.S. (2017). Golden Alpine Sandwort: A spectacular cushion species in the Trans-Himalaya. ENVIS Newsletter, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata22(1): 4.
  • Kumar, A., Adhikari B.S. and Rawat G.S. (2016). Caragana versicolor Benth.(Fabaceae), a keystone species of high conservation concern in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. Current Science 111(6): 985–987.
  • Kumar, A., Adhikari B.S. and Rawat G.S. (2016). New phytogeographically noteworthy plant records from Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa8(6): 8943–8947.
  • Kumar, A., Mitra M., Adhikari B.S. and Rawat G.S. (2016). Flora of Niti Valley: a cold arid region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya, India. Check List: The Journal of Biodiversity Data12(1): 1824. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/12.1.1824" target="_blank">http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/12.1.1824
  • Kumar, A., Sengupta, S., Manral, U. and Das A. (2016). Laudakia tuberculata, Morphological Anomaly, Herpetological review 47(2): 300.
  • Srivastav, M., Kumar, A. and Hussain, T. (2015). Diversity of dicotyledonous plants of Dhanaulti region, Western Himalaya, Check List: The Journal of Biodiversity Data11(4): 1702. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/11.4.1702" target="_blank">http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/11.4.1702
  • Kumar, A., Mitra, M., Adhikari, B.S. and Rawat, G.S. (2015). Depleting indigenous knowledge of medicinal plants in cold-arid region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya. Medicinal & Aromatic Plants 4(3): 195. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0412.1000195" target="_blank">http://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0412.1000195
  • Pal, D.K., Kumar, A. and Dutt, B. (2014). Floristic diversity of Theog Forest Division, Himachal Pradesh, Western Himalaya. Check List: The Journal of Biodiversity Data10(5): 1083-1103. DOI: http://doi.org/10.15560/10.5.1083." target="_blank">http://doi.org/10.15560/10.5.1083.
  • Kumar, A., Mitra, M., Adhikari, B.S. and Rawat, G.S. (2013). Additions to the plant wealth of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya.The Indian Forester 139(10): 959-961. (Article appeared in special issue on Wildlife).
  • Kumar, A., Mitra, M., Adhikari, B.S. and Rawat, G.S. (2013). Archetype conservation in Trans Himalayan Region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya. eJournal of Applied Forest Ecology 1(1): 84-86.
  • Mitra, M., Kumar, A., Adhikari, B.S. and Rawat, G.S. (2013). A note on transhumant pastoralism in Niti Valley, Western Himalaya, India. Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice, Springer, 3: 29.
  • Kumar, A., Mitra, M., Singh, G. and Rawat, G.S. (2012). An inventory of the flora of Binog Wildlife Sanctuary, Mussoorie, Garhwal Himalaya. Indian Journal of Fundamental and Applied Life Sciences 2(1): 281-299.
Additional Links
  • https://x.com/amitwii
  • https://instagram.com/amit.haryanvi
  • Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Amit-Kumar-Phd?ev=hdr_xprf\
  • https://herbarium.wii.gov.in/
Last updated 28-07-2025
Wildlife Institute of India, an Autonomous Institute of MoEFCC, Govt. of India
  • Post Box #18, Chandrabani Dehradun 248001 Uttarakhand - India
  • +91 135 2640114 - 15, 2646100
  • wii [at] wii [dot] gov [dot] in

Quick Links

  • PM's Mann Ki Baat
  • Related Links
  • Calendar 2025
  • Telephone Directory
  • Downloads
  • Website Quality Certificate

Website Policy

  • Copyright Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • FAQ
  • Help
  • Hyperlink Policy

Other Policy

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Condition
  • Website Policies
  • Accessibility Options
  • Accessibility Statement

Copyright © 2025 Wildlife Institute of India, an Autonomous Institute of MoEFCC, Govt. of India, All Rights Reserved.

This is the official website of Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun (WII), an Autonomous Institution of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India Website content, hosted & maintained by Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun.

Powered By: Webline

By using this website you accept our cookies and agree to our privacy policy, including cookie policy.