Tapas BhattacharyyaDr Tapas Bhattacharyya is an eminent soil scientist whose distinguished career has profoundly advanced agricultural research and education in India. An agricultural graduate and PhD from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, he dedicted more than three decades to the National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning (NBSS&LUP), Nagpur, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Rising to the position of Principal Scientist and Head of the Soil Resource Studies Division, he spearheaded pioneering work in soil genesis, classification, survey, and mapping, laying the foundation for sustainable land use planning across diverse agro-ecological regions. His contributions extend beyond national boundaries. His association with ICRISAT, India, IIASA, Austria, CSU, USA, UNEP, Reading University, UK, and ISRIC, the Netherlands, enabled him to collaborate on international projects, enriching global understanding of soil processes. Later, as Vice-Chancellor of Dr Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Maharashtra, he provided visionary leadership, strengthening academic programs and research initiatives in agricultural sciences. Dr Bhattacharyya's research has been particularly influential in addressing climate change. His work on soil carbon sequestration and carbon modelling has offered vital insights into mitigating global warming, positioning soils as critical reservoirs in climate-smart agriculture. His prolific scholarship-comprising more than 300 refereed journal papers, reviews, books, and book chapters has become a cornerstone for students, researchers, and policymakers alike. Through his scientific rigour, leadership, and commitment to sustainable agriculture, Dr Bhattacharyya has left an enduring legacy, inspiring generations of soil scientists and contributing significantly to the global discourse on food security and environmental stewardship. Read More Read Less