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Prof. Brij Gopal's cultural legacy lives on
![]() On 2021 January, Prof. Brij Gopal, one of the world's most eminent figures in limnology and ecology of the second half of the last century and beyond, passed away.
During a career spanning 60 years, Prof. Gopal has amassed an unparalleled collection of over 7000 books in his library that he started building when he was still a student. His collection covers almost all topics related to the environment and conservation, such as wetlands, hydrobiology, limnology, biodiversity, aquatic ecology, river ecology, forests, soils, oceans, fisheries, environmental law and policy, climate change, impact of industries, chemicals in the environment, and copies of various journals/newsletters dating back to the 1950s. Many of these texts are of historical value and some of them are out of print and not available anywhere.
After his passing away, it took the family more than 3 years to find the most suitable institution to donate all his books. Now, Prof. Gopal's heirs are very happy to report that Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar has accepted all the books, journals, bulletins, scientific journals and old theses.
This university has an important project to re-establish its library and restore its historical glory on the international cultural scene. The Indian Prime Minister supports the Nalanda University and Library project.
The University welcomed the important donation from Prof. Gopal's family and collected 6697 books. Not only it will preserve Prof Brij Gopal's collection but also enrich and glorify Nalanda University Library.
The fact that Prof. Gopal's books reached this prestigious University and Library certainly has enormous significance not just for the family but also for all scientists working in the field of freshwaters sciences. Now these books, some of them rare and difficult to find/access, will be preserved and will benefit teachers and students all over the world.
The University of Nalanda plans to create a special corner dedicated to Prof. Gopal's personal book collection. They are already working on it to make it available to scholars. In time, these books will be catalogued and some of those books may be digitised wherever permitted.
Prof. Gopal's family is confident that scholars around the world will soon be able to see and enjoy some of the rare study materials lovingly collected by Prof. Gopal during an exceptional career for the benefit of science and teaching.
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