has served the Himachal Pradesh University Shimla as Professor, and Head, Department of Biosciences, Dean Faculty of Life Sciences and Director of Institute of Integrated Himalayan studies. He is a distinguished Mycologist, Plant Pathologist, and Microbiologist who is well known all over the world for his research contributions in mushrooms, mycorrihza, and ethno-mycology/ ethno-botany and slime fungi. He has published 12 books, over 200 research papers and guided 28 Ph D students. He has been the chairman/member of various national committees. He is also on the editorial board of a number of Journals besides being the member of number of societies and associations concerning mycology, plant pathology, microbiology and biotechnology.