Dr. George Mathew

Entomologist | Conservation Biologist

Dr. George Mathew completed his master’s from the School of Entomology, St. John’s College, Agra during 1974-1977. On completion of master’s degree, he joined the Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara as a Senior Research Fellow to work on the taxonomic identities of crop pests of Kerala. He also worked on the taxonomy of Pyralids of Kerala for his Ph. D. He joined the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi in 1977 in the Entomology Department.

At KFRI, Dr. Mathew has worked on various topics such as insect pest identification, upkeep of biological collections, biodiversity monitoring and measurement in terrestrial ecosystems, landscape ecology, sanitary and phytosanitary protocols, plant quarantine protocols, timber preservation, Environmental Impact Assessment, as well as setting-up of Bio-parks and Butterfly Gardens. In appreciation of his contributions on the in situ conservation of butterflies, he has been selected as the “Green Hero of Conservation” by CNN-IBN in 2008 and his activities were broadcasted in a nation-wide telecast. In 2009, he was selected as the “Green Hero of the South”.

He has been a research guide for the Ph. D programmes of Calicut University and FRI Deemed University (Dehra Dun) and has produced 9 Ph. Ds. He has over 130 publications to his credit which include scientific papers, research reports and Books. He has been a Fellow of the "Royal Entomological Society of London" and a life member of the "Association for the Advancement of Entomology". He retired as Senior Scientist & Head of Department, Forest Health Division in 2011 after 34 years of service.

After his retirement from the service of KFRI, he has worked in various capacities - Emeritus Scientist of the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, National Protected Area Management Specialist for Sikkim Forest Department and International Consultant on Forest Pests in an ADB sponsored project at Plant Protection Centre, Vientiane (Lao PDR). He has visited various countries such as USA, Canada, UK, France, UAE, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, China, and Lao PDR as part of his professional works.

Membership in Professional Associations:

  • Chairperson, Foundation for Environmental Conservation, Education & Research (FECER)
  • Life member, Association for Advancement of Entomology (India)
  • Life Member, ASCI Association (No. 22018), Administrative Staff College of India, Hyderabad
  • Member, Research Council, Prof. T.C. Narendran Trust for Animal Taxonomy, Calicut (2006)
  • Editor, Zoos’ print Journal, Entomon & Biosystematica
  • Resource person for KFRI Training and Extension programmes on biodiversity, Butterfly Farming, Urban landscaping, Management of forest pests, Wood preservation, etc.
  • Honorary Fellow and Advisor, Better Art Foundation, Kerala (2005)
  • Ex. Fellow, Royal Entomological Society of London
  • Ex. Member, IUFRO (International Union of Forestry Research Organizations) working groups on Forest Protection and Nursery Pest and Disease Management
  • Ex. Resource person for CAB, London for preparing the “Crop Protection Compendium”
  • Ex. Resource person for Small Industries Service Institute on timber preservation
  • Ex. Member, Biodiversity Advisory Committee, KFRI
  • Ex. State Committee Member, National Biodiversity Support & Action Programme (NBSAP)
  • Ex. Resource person for the Kerala State Biodiversity Board
  • Ex. Honorary Member, Mountaineering Institute of India, Manali, Himachal Pradesh (1976)

    Trainings:

  • Research
    • Specialty training in insect Identification at the British Museum of Natural History, London (1990)
    • Training on ecologically sustainable tropical forest management at Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (1995)
    • Training on Management of Insect Pests using Pheromones (By British experts at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore, 1985)
  • Environmental aspects
    • Professional Training on “Latest Trends in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) - Processes and procedures as per Mo EF Guidelines (10-12 September 2007 at the Engineering Staff College of India, Hyderabad)
    • Training on Environmental Management (1997) at CWRDM, Kerala
    • Specialty training on Landscape Ecology and Joint Forest Management at the University of Melbourne, Australia (1999)
  • Research Management/Extension
    • Training on “Management of Research” sponsored by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi, at the Administrative Staff College, Hyderabad (July 8-12, 2002)
    • “Trainers’ Training” programme organized by the Kerala Institute of Local Administration, Mulamkunnathukavu, Trichur, Kerala (Jan. 2006)

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