Background
Ramdeo Misra was born on August 26, 1908 in Dobhi, India.
Ramdeo Misra was born on August 26, 1908 in Dobhi, India.
Ramdeo Misra studied at Banaras Hindu University and Leeds University.
After obtaining PhD in ecology (1937) Ramdeo Misra returned to establish ecology teaching and research at the Department of Botany of the Banaras Hindu University. Under his leadership, this Department gained international recognition for research of ecology of tropical ecosystems (forests, grasslands, ponds, lakes, etc.). His researches laid the foundation for understanding of tropical communities and their succession, environmental responses of plant populations, and productivity and nutrient cycling in tropical forests and grassland ecosystems.
Ramdeo Misra formulated the first postgraduate course in ecology in India. He was honored with the Fellowships of Indian National Science Academy and World Academy of Arts and Science, and the prestigious Sanjay Gandhi Award in Environment and Ecology.
Due to his efforts, the government of India established the National Committee for Environmental planning and Coordination (1972) which, in later years paved the way for the establishment of ministry of environment and Forests (1984). The International Society for Tropical ecology (headquarters at BHU) founded by Professor Mishra is 1956 has played a significant role in addressing ecological issues in tropics.
