Late Professor M. S. Johal was a distinguished Indian zoologist and fisheries scientist whose life was devoted to teaching, research, and biodiversity conservation. With over four decades of academic and scientific contribution, he played a pivotal role in shaping fisheries science in India.
He completed his B.Sc. (Hons), M.Sc. (Hons), and Ph.D. in Zoology from Panjab University, Chandigarh. His teaching career began in 1969 at D.A.V. College, Chandigarh, followed by 16 years at S.G.N. Khalsa College, Rajasthan. Between 1977 and 1980, he served as a UNESCO–WHO Research Fellow at Charles University, Prague.
In 1987, he joined Panjab University as Reader and later became Professor of Zoology in 1998, serving until 2008. Post-retirement, he was awarded the UGC Emeritus Fellowship and continued research under DST projects.
Professor Johal’s research covered fish biology, systematics, ecology, conservation, and population dynamics. He pioneered the use of fish hard parts for age determination, species identification, and environmental monitoring using SEM and EDX techniques.
His major projects included studies on ichthyofauna of Rajasthan, ecology of hillstreams, Sukhna Lake biodiversity, Golden Mahseer breeding, trout stream restoration, and fisheries management across North India.
He published 227 scientific works including journal papers, books, and monographs. He worked with organizations like UGC, DST, ICAR, and international institutions including Texas A&M University.
He was associated with over 30 universities as examiner and expert, and served in prestigious bodies such as IUCN, National Biodiversity Strategy committees, and ICAR advisory boards. He was honored with the Bharat Jyoti Award for his contributions.
After retirement, he served as Professor of Eminence and Dean Academic Affairs at Akaal University, where he established the Zoology Department. His work continues to inspire future generations in fisheries science and biodiversity conservation.
