Dr. Neelima Jerath, Director General, Pushpa Gujral Science City (November 2018 to date and June
2014 to June 2016, additional charge) is Ph.D in Botany (1980, specialization: Ecology and
Environmental Science), Diploma in Management from IGNOU (1997) and has a 10 credit course on
Education for Sustainable Development from University of Uppsala, Sweden (2012), Certificate
Courses from International Centre for Conservation Education, UK (1994); Smithsonian Institution,
USA (2002) and Asia Productivity Organization, Malaysia (2006). Prior to joining PGSC, she was
Executive Director, Punjab State Council for Science & Technology (March 2009 to June 2016),
founder Member Secretary, Punjab Biodiversity Board (upto 2016) & Punjab State Innovation
Council. She has also worked as Chairperson (2008 to 2014) and Member (2007-2010) of State
Expert Appraisal Committee for Environmental Clearance of projects. Dr. Jerath is credited with
setting up of Punjab Climate Change Knowledge Centre, Punjab Biodiversity Board, Patent
Information Centre, Intellectual Property Facilitation Centre for MSMEs, ENVIS Centre and Regional
Centre of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development. Her works include Policy Planning
and Development of Strategies & Action Plans for Biodiversity and Climate Change, Science Outreach
& S & T Literacy, Natural Resource Conservation, Environment Reporting and providing Consultancy
to industry for IPR Management and Pollution Control.
Widely traveled, Dr. Jerath has also worked as Asia Nodal Officer for two UNESCO's multi-country
projects and has participated as EE Expert in various fora at Spain, Germany, Japan, China, USSR,
etc. She is presently working closely with UNDP and providing advisory services to Department of
Water Supply and Sanitation, Govt. of Punjab for World Bank project and is member of several
committees of National Biodiversity Authority.
She was the Associate Editor of 'Indian Journal of Ecology' for 3 years and has edited/authored 29
Books and more than 50 publications.
She is a double gold medalist. In recognition of her services, she was awarded 'Punjab State
Government Award' (Praman Patra) from Chief Minister, Punjab in 1999, 'Award of Honour for
Environment Education and Awareness' (1996) and 'State Farms Corporation Award' (1991). In
2008, NASA awarded her "Appreciation Certificate" for initiating Cloudsat Education Network
project in India.
Under her leadership, the Pushpa Gujral Science City was conferred the "National Award for Science
Communication" in 2016 by Minister of Science & Technology, DST, Govt. of India and "Shinning Glory Award" by Maple Foundation in 2019.