Dr.Ishwar Prakash received his school education at Mount Abu and later obtained masters degree in Zoology from Birla College of Science, Pilani. He was awarded UNESCO fellowship to study vertebrates of Thar Desert and was awarded Ph.D. for the work. After a brief stint as a lecturer he joined newly established Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI) as an “Animal ecologist”. He served CAZRI for four long decades and had the proud privilege of establishing branch of rodentology in India. During last decade of service he held “Professor of Eminence” Chair at the same institute. After his retirement from CAZRI he made Desert Regional station of Zoological Survey of India his “Karamsathali” and served there for another ten years. During his association with ZSI, he explored hilly tracts of Rajasthan with financial support from department of Science and Technology, Government of India and Indian National Science Academy. His fifty years of research career encompassed almost all aspects of small mammalian research such as Physiology, Ecology, Taxonomy, Zoogeography, Biochemical Communication, Rodent Pest Management and Wildlife Conservation.  Dr.Prakash published over 500 research papers and 20 monographs and books. He was considered an authority on desert ecology. Because of his outstanding work he received many prestigious National Awards. He was fellow of various national and international scientific academies. He also served as member and chairman of various policy-making bodies. His unflagging determination and passion for research made him work till his last breath.