Syed Zahoor Qasim Biography 
Syed Zahoor Qasim is a leading Indian marine biologist. He guided Indian in 8 expeditions from 1981 to 1988, the most important one being exploration to Antarctica. He was a Member of the Planning Commission of India from 1991 to 1996. He has also served as an honorary professor of various Indian universities including Aligarh Muslim University and Madurai Kamaraj University. Indian government honoured him with Padma Shri in 1974 and Padma Bhushan in 1982. Chandra Hora Memorial Medal in 1975, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Award (1978), Oceanology International Lifetime Achievement Award, UK (1999), Golden Jubilee Trust Gold Medal, National Ocean Science and Technology Award by Government of India 2003 and F.I.E. Award are other major honours received by him. He has also authored many books on the subject of Oceanology. He currently resides in Delhi.
He was born on 31 December 1926 in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. He schooled at Majidiya Islamiya Intermediate College Allahabad. He completed graduation in science from Aligarh Muslim University in 1949 and took MSc in Zoology in 1951. He stood first and was awarded the University Gold Medal. Later he started his career as a lecturer and taught at various colleges. He went to UK for higher studies in 1953. In 1956 he completed D.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from University College of North Wales.
Qasim made major contributions in Indian oceanography and fisheries. He promoted ocean research in India. He also set up an infrastructure and needed facilities for marine and Antarctic research. He was the first to indicate the potential role of aquaculture, thus promoting the technology of cultured pearls. The Indian Ocean: Images and Realities, Living Resources of India's Exclusive Economic Zone and Biodiversity of Mangrove Ecosystems are the major books authored by him.
Published: N/A
Updated: March 06, 2014
