Dr. Mahesh K. Gaur is a Principal Scientist at the ICAR-Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodhpur, India. His expertise spans both hot and cold arid environments, with significant experience gained during his tenure (2022–2024) at CAZRI’s Regional Research Station in Leh-Ladakh, where he deepened his understanding of fragile high-altitude cold desert ecosystems.His core research focuses on aridlands geography, applying satellite remote sensing, GIS, and digital image processing for natural resource mapping, monitoring drought, desertification, land degradation, and integrating indigenous knowledge with modern technology. He has led several high-impact projects sponsored by ICAR, ISRO (NRSC and SAC), UGC, and ICARDA.