Utpal Kumar De (MSc, PhD) is currently a Professor of Economics at North Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya, India. Prof. De has been engaged in teaching at post-graduate level since 1994 (29 years). His research interests include agricultural economics and rural development, issues on environmental and natural resources, climate change adaptation, nature-based tourism, and empowerment of women. Prof. De has visited Europe and Asia in connection with research and delivered keynote, invited or plenary lectures in a large number of conferences. Besides presenting over 130 research papers in various international and national conferences he has published 155 research articles in reputed national and international journals, and edited volumes. His recent publications include Inequality, Poverty and Development in India: Focus on the North-Eastern Region, Issues on Health and Healthcare in India: Focus on the North-Eastern Region, both from Springer Nature Singapore Pvt. Ltd., Development and Deprivation in Indian Sub-Continent, Routledge, London/New York and Deprivation, Development and Empowerment of Women in India: North-East Perspectives, from Bookwell, New Delhi. Besides completing 6 research projects, he has successfully guided 15 research scholars for Ph.D.