Shive Prakash Rai is Associate Professor of Hydrogeology at the Geology Department, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, India since 2018 and involved in the teaching hydrogeology and research in the area of water and environment. Prior to joining at BHU, Varanasi, he was associated with the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, India as a Scientist “F” since 1996 (a premier Research and Development organization under the Ministry of JAL SHAKTI, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India). Dr. Rai has gained research experience of more than 25 years, which involves teaching, research, capacity building, and outreach experience. The focus of the current work is water resource planning, groundwater monitoring and management, river hydrology and river health, water education, and capacity building for sustainable management of water in rural and urban areas.

Dr. Rai has led/involved in training and capacity building activities, in both online and offline modes, in the areas of water resource management and environment for participants from India, Nepal, Malaysia. He has gained significant experience in developing a short training courses for professionals, policy advisors, and community stakeholders.

S P Rai was nominated by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria as an expert in an Expert Mission to provide training on the application of isotope in groundwater resources management for sustainable development. He catered training to officers of the Groundwater Department at Kathmandu, Nepal during 15-20 Dec. 2013 and to scientists of Malaysia Nuclear Agency, Malaysia during 23-27 March 2015.

He is passionate to understand the hydrological processes on local and regional scale particularly in the areas, which are facing acute water scarcity. S P Rai has developed expertise to work in the mountainous as well as in the alluvial plain of Ganga. S P Rai was associated with Central Himalayan Environmental Association (CHEA, a Non government Organisation) to educate the people about the springs and springshed management through development of spring sanctuaries. His water management strategies are based on scientific and local wisdom. He also examine the implications of social, economic, cultural, policy and institutional aspects of groundwater management.

S P Rai has worked as Team Leader as well as Deputy Team leader in various multi-disciplinary projects funded through International and national funding agency. He has more than 200 publications to his name, including over 85 articles in peer-reviewed, international and national journals.  He has prepared more than 20 technical reports (at NIH, Roorkee) to transfer the knowledge of research work to Government Departments involved in water resource management in India.

Dr. S P Rai is involved in carrying out research work to understand the hydrological processes in headwater catchment of Himalayas, groundwater dynamics in multi-aquifer system of Indo-gangetic plain and hard rock (i.e., Spring hydrology), lake hydrodynamics, identification of source of precipitation etc  using application of environmental isotope and other conventional tools.