Meteorology and Geography

Meteorology and Geography offers a comprehensive exploration of the vital links between atmospheric phenomena, geographical features, and aquatic ecosystems, with a special focus on their influence on fisheries science. Recognizing the long-standing gap in fisheries curricula, this book integrates meteorological and geographical principles into a unified framework, highlighting how weather patterns, ocean currents, and coastal landscapes shape fish distribution, migration, productivity, and resilience. Developed in alignment with the ICAR Sixth Deans Committee Report, the text presents complex scientific concepts in an accessible manner, enriched with clear explanations, diagrams, examples, and practical applications. The logical progression of topics ensures readers build a strong foundation before advancing to more intricate interactions between climate, terrain, and aquatic life. This resource is designed for both students and faculty. For students, it serves as a definitive guide to understanding environmental influences on fisheries, providing the analytical tools needed for sustainable resource management. For faculty, it functions as a ready-to-use, well-structured teaching aid to support engaging and effective classroom delivery. By bridging disciplines, Meteorology and Geography empowers future fisheries professionals to approach environmental challenges holistically, promoting sustainable practices and fostering a deeper appreciation for the interconnected systems that sustain aquatic life.

Surender Singh has about thirty five years of experience with PhD in the field of Agrometeorology. Worked in Agrometeorology encompassing teaching, research, extension and administration at various capacities viz., Principal Scientist, Professor & Head, Senior Scientist, Assistant Scientist, Advisor (Recruitments) and Associate Director (Students’ Counseling and Placement) at CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, India. Recipient of Two Gold Medals for Best Research Work during PhD Program and for Best PhD Dissertation (2001-02) awarded by then President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. Offered UK Universities Vice Chancellors’ Scholarship for Higher Studies twice (1991 & 1993) under Commonwealth Fellowship Program. Post Doctoral Fellow at Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy; IAC – Instituto Agronômico, Campinas, Brazil and BOKU (Met) - Institute of Meteorology and Climatology, Vienna, Austria. He is life member of Association of Agrometeorologists, Indian Meteorological Society, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, International Society for Agrometeorology, Society for Sustainable Agric& Resource Management, Environment Science Published for Everybody Round the Earth (ESPERE), European Drought Centre, South Asian Forum on Agriculture Meteorology (SAFOAM) and The Geographical Society of India. Organized quite a few trainings/symposia in Agrometeorology and associated domains at National level. Published more than 250 research papers, popular articles, manuals/teaching aids and research bulletins/book chapters etc. Performed responsibilities as Managing Editor - Journal of Agrometeorology; Research Collaborator, Monsoon Asia Agro-Environmental Research Consortium (MARCO), Japan; SPARC Research Collaborator, ETH, Zurich, Switzerland; Member, Expert Team - CAgM-WMO, Geneva, Switzerland (2018-20). Core Committee Member on Agriculture – Drought at WMO, Geneva, Switzerland (2021-24 & 2024-27). External Expert for evaluation of research projects, COST-Association, European Union, Brussels, Belgium. Many students (UG, PG and PhD) have been trained under him and placed across the country and well settled in various positions in the field of Agrometeorology. He is widely travelled researcher/expert across the globe on many academic pursuits. He has been conferred upon Fellow of Association of Agrometeorologists (FAAM) for the year 2024 in recognition of his exemplary achievements and enduring impact on agrometeorological science.

V Uma Maheswara Rao has forty years of experience with PhD in the broader field of Agrometeorology. Worked in Agrometeorology encompassing teaching, research, extension and administration at various capacities viz., Project Coordinator, Principal Scientist, Professor & Head, Agrometeorologist, and Assistant Scientist at CCS Haryana Agricultural University and Indian Council of Agriculture Research in India. He is life member of Indian Meteorological Society, The Arid Zone Research Association of India, Indian Society of Remote Sensing, Association of Agrometeorologists, International Society for Agrometeorology, and The Indian Society of Dryland Agriculture. Organized several trainings/workshops in Agrometeorology at the International and National level. Published more than 345 research papers, popular articles, manuals/teaching aids and research bulletins/book chapters. Member of the CCI-ET-IIC, WMO, Geneva (2014-2017). Member of XI Plan High Powered Review Committee of Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India (2012). In 2014, the prestigious Chaudhary Devi Lal Award, ICAR’s Best AICRP on Agrometeorology was received under his dynamic leadership as Project Coordinator. Many students (UG, PG and PhD) have been trained under his guidance are placed across the country and settled in various positions in the field of Agrometeorology. He visited numerous countries in official capacity.

BV Ramana Rao taught Agricultural Meteorology in the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore during the years 1966 to 1979 and later joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and superannuated from service during April, 2000. He served as Head, Division of Climatology, Wind Power and Solar Energy Utilization at ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur (Rajasthan); founder Project Coordinator, All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology at ICAR Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Hyderabad (Telangana) during December 1984 to March 1994. His major contributions in the field of Agrometeorology include Agroclimatic Characterization, Delineation of Efficient Cropping Zones, Crop Weather Modeling, Classification and Management of Agricultural Droughts, Operational Agrometeorology, etc. He published about 150 research papers in peer reviewed journals with 50 of his papers appearing in high impact International Journals. He authored 15 books and monographs and a number of scientific and technical bulletins. He served as Editor in Chief, Journal of Agrometeorology during the years 2009 to 2023. He is the recipient of British Council Fellowship during the year 1986-87 for advanced training at University of Reading, United Kingdom. He was conferred as Honorary Fellow (2011) and Life Time Achievement Award (2025) by the Association of Agrometeorologists for his valuable contribution to the growth and development of Agricultural Meteorology in India.