Dr. Peerzada Ishtiyak is a doctorate in Forestry from Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. He has an extensive work experience and contributed to the contemporary projects on Phytomedicine, forest certification, ABS of Genetic Resources, NTFPs and bioeconomy for livelihood improvement across South Asia, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa with supporter organizations like GIZ, UNDP, JICA, DST, SERB, NMPB, MoEFCC, NABARD, Government Ministries in India, Govt. of Kenya, and forest based industries in South Asia. Dr. Ishtiyak has also advised the German Development Corporation (GIZ) for its prestigious Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Bilateral Project. Prior to joining Faculty of Forestry, He has served as Deputy Director, RCFC North II (J&K) of NMPB, Govt. of India. Dr. Ishtiyak is an active member of CEM & WCPA of IUCN. Currently, He is working on Diversification of NTFP value chains for sustainable bio-economy in Temperate Himalayan Ecosystem.