Kailas Nath Kaul

Kailas Nath Kaul
Kaul at the University of Lucknow in 1928 (standing, fourth from left)
Born1905
Died1983 (aged 77–78)
NationalityIndian
Known forArecaceae research
SpouseSheila Kaul
RelativesKamala Nehru (sister)
AwardsPadma Bhushan, Indian civilian honour (1977)
Scientific career
FieldsBotany, Agricultural science, Natural resource management, Horticulture
InstitutionsNational Botanical Research Institute, India; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, United Kingdom; Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom; University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; Lucknow University, India; Kanpur University, India; Chandra Shekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology, India; University of Kashmir, India; Central Drug Research Institute, India

Kailas Nath Kaul (1905–1983) was an Indian botanist, naturalist, agricultural scientist, horticulturist, herbalist, plant collector and herpetologist, and a world authority on Arecaceae. He founded India's National Botanical Research Institute and was instrumental in organizing the country's modern scientific infrastructure. He is regarded as a vital influence behind his niece Indira Gandhi's proactive role in environmental protection by means of extensive legislative and policy interventions.