Dr Bhagwati Prasad Nautiyal, an esteemed agriculture scientist, botanist, environmentalist, and champion of rural agriculture development and Himalayan artistic heritage, passed away recently. He was known for his steadfast commitment, passion, and humility. He left behind a legacy that touched many spheres of life, from environmental conservation to preserving traditional arts.
Born in 1952, Dr Nautiyal was a visionary who played crucial roles in academia, banking, agriculture, rural development, forestry, entrepreneurship, handicrafts and botany, making profound contributions to Uttarakhand and the nation.
Dr Nautiyal began his career in the Forestry Department at Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal), serving as a lecturer and head from 1980 to 1984. He then transitioned to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and served as a general manager from 1984 until his retirement in 2009, overseeing rural development programmes across multiple states.
Dr Nautiyal’s dedication to environmental causes, closely associated with the renowned environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna, was a key figure in environmental movements in Uttarakhand. He actively participated in the Chipko Movement, a campaign aimed at conserving forests, and undertook environmental awareness pad yatras alongside fellow environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhatt and Historian Dr Shekhar Pathak. His commitment to environmental causes and social justice dates back to his student days when he was a leader at HNB Garhwal University, where he was actively involved in supporting social causes and assisting students in their struggles.
Dr Nautiyal’s contributions extended beyond the natural environment to cultural preservation. For nearly four decades, he was deeply involved in identifying, understanding, and promoting Uttarakhand’s hidden arts and crafts. His efforts to preserve and reinvent these fading traditions, from designer walking sticks and wooden combs to birds made of pine cones and paintbrushes crafted from plant fibre, are a testament to his appreciation of the region’s cultural heritage.
Following the devastation of the 2013 Kedarnath floods, he launched the “Shilpiiy- Support for Himalayan Handicraft and Local Produce through Institutional Involvement of Youth” campaign, an initiative aimed at reviving the region’s traditional art forms and supporting struggling artisans.
In addition to his role in NABARD, Dr Nautiyal also served as Director of the Horticulture Department in Uttarakhand for two years. Post-2012, he worked as an advisor, dean, and officer-in-charge at Uttarakhand University of Forestry and Horticulture, Bharsar. The All India Scholars Council recognised his significant contributions and awarded him the prestigious Uttarakhand Ratna award, a testament to his dedication and impact in the fields of environmental conservation, rural development, and cultural preservation.
His legacy lives on through his family, students, and the countless lives he touched through his work in environmental conservation, rural development, and cultural preservation.
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