Deputy Director
Dr Harshwanti Bisht

BA (Economics) - Kotdwar, Garhwal University
MA (Economics) - Kotdwar, Garhwal University
Ph D (Tourism in Garhwal Himalayas) - Garhwal University
Basic Mountaineering Course - Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM)
Advance Mountaineering Course (AMC) - Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM)

Dr. Harshvanti Bisht, India's'Leading woman mountaineer, has been actively associated with mountaineering and Himalayan Tourism Research work for the past two decades. She has Climabed Baby Shivling (5660 M) Gangotri (6672 M) and Nanda Devi (7817 M) in Garhwal Himalaya. She has participated in the Indian Everest Expedition of 1984. For her exceptional mountaineering skills and outstanding Achievements, Dr Harshvanti Bisht was awarded the Arjuna Award and Directorate of Higher Education, Government of UP Gold Medal. In mountaineering circles, she is widely known as Harsha. She is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and member of several mountaineering and environment conservation societies. She has many research papers and radio talks to her credit. Greatly inspired by the work of Sir Edmund Hillary in conserving the natural environment and in creating economic opportunities for the Sherpa communities, Dr. Bisht shifted her focus from recreation to conservation and sustainable high-altitude tourism. She has worked as principal Investigator to a major research project, Growth of Himalayan Tourism and Pilgrimage in Gangotri region: an impact on physical Resources and Economy, Supported by ministry of Environments and forests Deptt. of Ministry of Environment & forests, Deptt. of Environment, forests & wildlife, Govt. of India New Delhi. She was awarded the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal 2014 for her philanthropic achievements and work to improve conditions in the Gangotri area of Uttarakhand, at the headwaters of the Ganges over the past 25 years. The medal was presented by Peter Hilary, mountain climber, philanthropist, author, and son of the late Sir Edmund Hilary, in an event organized by the Mountain Legacy and hosted by ICIMOD. She received Environment Award for 2005, Himalayan Environment Trust, New Delhi and CII Annual Green Award. She is Depty Director (Directorate of Higher Education), Joint Director (RUSA) and actively working for the Eco-conservation of Gangotri in Garhwal Himalaya.