Shanti Lal Kayastha (1924–2018)

Prof. Shanti Lal Kayastha, who rendered long, exemplary and selfless service throughout his illustrious career of nearly 40 years, in the development and coordination of geography discipline in the country, passed away in Varanasi on 6 January 2018. He was born on 30 March 1924 and had his early education at the famous Government College, Lahore, and later at Aligarh Muslim University. In 1948, he joined Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi as lecturer. He was the first Indian geographer to undertake the study of river basin as a viable unit for integrated resource development and planning. His remarkable work published in The Himalayan Beas Basin: A Study in Habitat, Economy and Society, is a significant milestone in mountain ecology and resource management.