Dr. Ajay Sharma is a natural resources and renewable energy policy planner with extensive experience in forestry, bioenergy, sustainable agriculture, rural livelihoods, and renewable energy development. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Sciences from Central Queensland University (CQU), Australia, an M.Sc. in Forestry, a B.Sc. in Agriculture, and a postgraduate diploma in Ecology. His professional experience includes 11 years at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), research at CQU, Australia, and consultancy assignments with UNDP and government institutions in India, Ethiopia, and East Timor.
He has also served as a Renewable Energy Advisor to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, and contributed to national bioenergy programmes, watershed development, clonal forestry, biomass supply chains, biogas development, and carbon credit initiatives. His expertise encompasses renewable energy planning, solar energy applications, de-dieselisation, agroforestry, industrial plantations, water-use efficiency, and sustainable rural development. He has authored two books, 15 journal publications, three book chapters, and numerous conference presentations and popular articles, reflecting his contributions to research, policy planning, and sustainable natural resource management.