Deputy Director General at Forest Research and Training Centre, Nepal
Dr. Rajesh Malla, Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Hamburg, Germany, is a distinguished forestry and climate change researcher specializing in forest resource assessment, forest modeling, biodiversity conservation, and climate change impacts on ecosystems. With an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Forestry from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, he has over two decades of experience in research, leadership, and conservation. He has published extensively in reputed, indexed journals such as Land, Forests, PeerJ, and Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, and has presented at international conferences. Serving as Deputy Director General and previously Director at Nepal’s Forest Research and Training Centre, he has led impactful national and international projects. His work bridges scientific innovation and policy application, significantly contributing to sustainable forest management and environmental conservation in Nepal and beyond. The Agricultural and Biological Sciences Award recognises outstanding contributions in the fields of Agricultural and biological research, particularly within Agriculture and Agriculture.
Professional Profile
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Education
Dr. Rajesh Malla holds a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Hamburg, Germany, with a thesis focusing on climate change impacts on soil organic carbon, above-ground biomass, and vegetation shifts in Nepal’s forests. He earned his M.Sc. in Forestry from the Institute of Forestry, Pokhara, Nepal, specializing in habitat mapping and conservation threats to the Gangetic Dolphin, graduating with first division. His B.Sc. in Forestry from Tribhuvan University included a specialization in GIS applications for natural resource management, with a thesis on park–people conflict in Nepal’s protected areas, also completed with first division. This strong academic foundation has equipped him with advanced scientific, analytical, and technical expertise to address complex environmental and climate-related challenges while integrating conservation science with practical forest management solutions.
Experience
With over two decades of service in forestry and climate change research, Dr. Malla currently serves as Deputy Director General of the Forest Research and Training Centre, Kathmandu, Nepal. His leadership spans major projects including allometry equation development, forest resource assessments, bamboo resource surveys, and terrestrial lidar scanning for forest inventory. Previously, he was Director at the Centre’s Gandaki Province office, Research Officer at the Department of Forest Research and Survey, and Assistant Research Officer. He has also served as Project Leader for the Dolphin Conservation Awareness Project, funded by the Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation (UK), and held NGO program management roles. His career reflects a strong blend of research expertise, strategic leadership, and implementation of conservation initiatives at both national and international levels.
Research Interest
Dr. Malla’s research interests span forest resource assessment, forest modeling, biodiversity conservation, and climate change impacts on terrestrial ecosystems. His work integrates advanced modeling techniques with ecological data to evaluate carbon dynamics, biomass distribution, and species habitat suitability. He is deeply engaged in assessing vegetation shifts under climate scenarios, identifying invasive species patterns, and linking forest diversity to carbon storage potential. Additionally, his studies often incorporate geospatial tools, remote sensing, and GIS applications to support data-driven forest management strategies. Beyond ecological science, he focuses on the socio-environmental dimensions of forestry, including park–people relationships, community forestry systems, and conservation policy impacts. His interdisciplinary approach ensures his research remains relevant for both academic advancement and practical application in sustainable natural resource management.
Award and Honor
Dr. Rajesh Malla’s career has been marked by recognition for his impactful research and leadership in forestry and climate science. While his work has not only garnered academic attention through publications in prestigious, indexed journals (Land, Forests, PeerJ, Frontiers in Forests and Global Change), it has also influenced policy and conservation practices in Nepal. His leadership roles in government forestry institutions reflect the trust and respect earned from the scientific and policy-making community. Invitations to present at national and international platforms—such as the APFISN Workshop in the Philippines and the International Conference on Forest, People, and Climate—demonstrate his standing as a subject-matter expert. His project leadership, notably the Dolphin Conservation Awareness Project funded internationally, showcases his ability to secure and manage global research support.
Research Skill
Dr. Malla possesses advanced expertise in forest inventory techniques, biomass and carbon modeling, ecological data analysis, and climate change impact assessments. His skills include the application of GIS, remote sensing, and terrestrial lidar scanning for precise environmental mapping and monitoring. He is adept at integrating field-based data with advanced statistical and geospatial modeling to generate actionable conservation insights. His research involves multi-scale approaches—from local biodiversity assessments to national forest resource evaluations—often within multidisciplinary teams. He has strong competencies in scientific writing, peer-reviewed publishing, and conference presentations, enabling him to effectively communicate research findings to academic, policy, and public audiences. His experience in managing complex research projects, securing funding, and building collaborative networks further strengthens his capacity to lead impactful scientific initiatives.
Publication Top Notes
Title: Spatial distribution of soil organic carbon in the forests of Nepal
Authors: Malla, R., Neupane, P.R.
Year: 2024
Citation: Land, 13(3), 378
Title: Climate change impacts: In the perspective of soil organic carbon, above-ground biomass and vegetation shifts (A case study from Nepal) – PhD thesis
Authors: Malla, R.
Year: 2024
Citation: University of Hamburg, Germany
Title: Habitat suitability of four threatened Himalayan species: Asiatic black bear, common leopard, musk deer, and snow leopard
Authors: Malla, R., Panthi, S., Adhikari, H., Pariyar, S., Baral, R., Subedi, R., Adhikari, B.P.
Year: 2023
Citation: PeerJ, 11, e16085
Title: Modelling soil organic carbon as a function of topography and stand variables
Authors: Malla, R., Neupane, P.R., Köhl, M.
Year: 2022
Citation: Forests, 13(9), 1391
Title: Climate change impacts: Vegetation shift of broad-leaved and coniferous forests
Authors: Malla, R., Neupane, P.R., Köhl, M.
Year: 2023
Citation: Trees, Forests and People, 14, 100457
Title: Assessment of above ground biomass and soil organic carbon in the forests of Nepal under climate change scenario
Authors: Malla, R., Neupane, P.R., Köhl, M.
Year: 2023
Citation: Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 6, 1209232
Title: Forest diversity and aboveground carbon linkage between the national park and community managed tropical forests of Nepal
Authors: Ranabhat, S., Malla, R.
Year: 2023
Citation: Banko Janakari, 33(2), 49–60
Title: Assessment of invasion of Ageratina adenophora in the plantation forest of Nepal
Authors: Malla, R., Aryal, R.R., Ranabhat, S.
Year: 2021
Citation: Banko Janakari, 31(1), 3–11
Title: Natural regeneration potential and growth of degraded Shorea robusta Gaertn.f. forest in Terai region of Nepal
Authors: Malla, R., Acharya, B.K.
Year: 2017
Citation: Banko Janakari, 28(1), 3–10
Title: The effect of forest management on stand structure and tree diversity in the Sal (Shorea robusta) forest of Nepal
Authors: Ranabhat, S., Fehrman, L., Malla, R.
Year: 2016
Citation: Indian Forester, 142(6), 582–589
Title: Trees on farms: Diversity, carbon pool and contribution to rural livelihood in Kanchanpur district of Nepal
Authors: Baral, S.K., Malla, R., Khanal, S.
Year: 2013
Citation: Banko Janakari, 23(1), 3–11
Title: Above ground carbon stock assessment in different forest types of Nepal
Authors: Baral, S.K., Malla, R., Ranabhat, S.
Year: 2009
Citation: Banko Janakari, 19(2), 10–14
Title: Potentiality of payment for environmental services in community forests of Nepal
Authors: Acharya, K.P., Baral, S.K., Malla, R., Basnyat, B.
Year: 2009
Citation: Proceedings of the Community Forestry International Workshop, 15–18 September 2009, Pokhara, Nepal, pp. 67
Title: Habitat Mapping and Conservation Threats to River Dolphin in Karnali River of Nepal
Authors: Malla, R.
Year: 2009
Citation: Banko Janakari (Special Edition), 24–29
Title: Carbon sequestration potential of Alnus nepalensis in mid-hills of Nepal: A case study from Kaski district
Authors: Ranabhat, S., Awasthi, K.D., Malla, R.
Year: 2008
Citation: Banko Janakari, 18(2), 3–9
Conclusion
Dr. Rajesh Malla stands out as a highly accomplished forestry and climate change researcher whose work bridges the gap between academic science and applied environmental policy. His career reflects a rare combination of scientific depth, leadership ability, and practical conservation impact. With a strong academic background, decades of professional experience, and a rich portfolio of peer-reviewed publications, he has significantly advanced understanding of forest ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation. His leadership in government institutions has enabled large-scale data collection, analysis, and resource management that directly benefit environmental policy-making in Nepal. Looking ahead, his expertise, collaborative approach, and commitment to sustainability position him to continue making meaningful contributions to global environmental research and conservation practice