Journal of Environmental Biology

 

Dr. R. C. Dalela - his endeavors to uplift Science in India

 

 Dr. R.C. Dalela, a renowned Zoologist, Toxicologist, and Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Environmental Biology, left for his heavenly abode on December 12th, 2022 following a brief illness.

Dr. Dalela completed his M.Sc. in Zoology from Agra University, Agra in 1957, and later he earned a Ph.D. degree (Zoology) from the same university in 1964. He joined as a Lecturer in the Department of Zoology, D.A.V. College, Muzaffarnagar (U.P.) India in 1959, got promoted to Associate Professor in 1962, and later took over as Head of the same department in 1967 and served in the same position for 30 years until his superannuation in 1996. Due to his constant efforts and co-operation received from his faculty members, he made the Zoology Department internationally acclaimed, and during this period over 100 students were awarded Ph.D. from the department. He had supervised several Research Projects sponsored by the Central and various State Governments. Dr. Dalela published 120 research papers, authored six textbooks on Zoology and its subspecialties, and edited six Proceedings of Seminars and Symposia. Some of his text-books such as: Introductory Cell Biology (Cytology), A Text Book of Invertebrate Zoology, A Text Book of Chordate Zoology, Animal Taxonomy and Museology, Animal Physiology and Related Biochemistry, and similar others have been extremely popular among students. 

He served as the Chairman of the Board of Studies and Research Committee of Meerut University. He was a member of the Board of Studies of several Indian Universities and National Committee Member for the UGC Curriculum Development Program for Zoology in 1990.

Dr. Dalela was the Founder and the first President of the Academy of Environmental Biology (AEB) in 1978, and also served as the President of the Society of Toxicology, India (STOX, 1989-91).  He was the recipient of the AEB Honors - a Scholarly International Award for services rendered to the cause of Environment Sciences & Fish Toxicology in 1991. He was a Fellow of the Society of Toxicology, India (FST) and The Academy of Environmental Biology, India (FAEB). He was a Life Member of the National Academy of Sciences, India, and the Indian Science Congress Association.

Realizing the necessity of a quality research journal, focused on the areas of Environmental Sciences & Toxicology, he launched Journal of Environmental Biology (JEB) in 1980, and spearheaded the Editorial Board in order to ensure a consistent focus on the research content quality. He served as the Editor-in-chief of JEB from its inception in 1980 until his death. Under his editorship, for over four decades, JEB has actively been involved in publishing quality research papers related to all areas of Environmental Science and Toxicology from all over the world.

To serve the cause of Education & Research in the country, Dr. Dalela established Dalela Educational Foundation - a charitable trust in 1996. He was a torch bearer to innumerable students. His motto: Work is Worship, has been an inspiration to all who knew him. He believed that there is always a scope for improvement, which reflects well in the growth and progress of the journal. Because of his farsightedness, progressive outlook, and hard work -- JEB is rated among the best International Research Journals published from India. JEB is published by Triveni Enterprises, an independent setup that does not receive financial grants from any Government and Non-Government organizations.

Although we will miss a great mentor and a graceful personality, his teachings have been carved in the hearts and minds of people associated with him that will serve as a guiding light in carrying forward his legacy.

 

Professor Divakar Dalela

Executive Editor

 

Editorial office

Journal of Environmental Biology