Dr. Hom Nath Pathak (b. July 5, 1970) is a Nepalese botanist, educator, and science communicator specializing in biological invasions, ecological succession, and ethnobotany. He currently serves as Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of Botany at Prithvi Narayan Campus, Tribhuvan University, Pokhara. 

Dr. Pathak earned his Ph.D. in Biological Invasion from Tribhuvan University in 2023, following an M.Sc. in Botany (1999) and an M.A. in Sociology (2003). His doctoral dissertation, “Diversity, Distribution, and Impacts of Invasive Alien Plant Species in the Lake Cluster and Associated Landscape in Pokhara Valley, Nepal”, advanced understanding of invasive species ecology in Himalayan wetlands. 

With over three decades of teaching experience, Dr. Pathak has taught at schools and universities across Nepal, contributing to science education from secondary to postgraduate levels. His research spans rice diversity, succession in abandoned farmlands, ethnobotanical knowledge, and invasive alien plants, supported by grants from NAST, WWF-Nepal, IDEA WILD (USA), and Tribhuvan University. 

He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal of Mountain Science, Pakistan Journal of Botany, and Nepal Journal of Science and Technology. His works on invasive alien plants in Pokhara’s Ramsar-listed lake cluster are widely cited. In addition, he has authored several books such as Botany for Medical Students, Know Biology, Science Stories, and Bigyan Kathaharu. 

Beyond academia, Dr. Pathak has actively participated in national and international conferences, presented research on biodiversity and climate change, and contributed to public awareness through interviews and articles in Nepali media. He is a life member of the Botanical Society of Nepal, a reviewer for international journals, and a member of the IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group. 

Dr. Pathak’s career reflects a deep commitment to advancing botanical science in Nepal, mentoring students, and promoting conservation through both research and public engagement. 

Short communication 

Hom N Pathak (2012) Agro-morphological characteristic of tangale landrace of Oryza sativa l. Cultivated in Baglung, Nepal. In: Asian Journal of Biology and Biotechnology 2012. ajbbonline.com Volume: 1 issue (1). peer-reviewed print 

1. PhD (Biological Invasion) from Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal in the year 2023 (2080 BS) 
2. MA (Sociology) from Central Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal in the year 20 (2060 BS) 
3. M.Sc (Botany) from Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal in the year 1999 (2055 BS) 
4. BSc (Biology) from Amrit Science Campus, Lainchaur, Kathmandu, Nepal, in the year 1992 (2049 BS). 
5. I Sc (Biology) from Birendra Multiple Campus, Bharatpur, Chitwan, Nepal, in the year 1989 (2046 BS). 

Gandaki H.S.B. School, Pokhara, 2000-2003, Science teacher (till 2003). 

Step By Step H.S.B. School, Pokhara, 2003-2016, Science Teacher. (till 2016)/ 

P.N Campus, Pokhara 1999 onwards, Botany Teacher (Lecturer), T.U  

1. Botany teacher in Science Education, Department of Education, PN Campus, from 1998-2000 (2055-2057 BS), PNC, TU. 
2. Botany teacher for ISc 1st year from 2000-2003 (2057-2060BS) in PNC,TU. 
3. Teacher for Environmental Botany for BSc III from 2004-2067 (2061-2070 BS), in PNC, TU. 
4. Teacher for Environmental Botany for BSc IV from 2072 onwards. 

Paper Setting 

1. Question paper setting for BSc entrance examination for almost five times for Tribhuvan University. 
2. Question paper setting once for Pokhara University. 

Scrutiny  

1. Once Involved in paper scrutiny for BSc answer sheets   

External Examiner 

1. External examiner for the Botany Practical exam at Tribhuvan Multiple Campus Palpa for one year.  
2. External examiner for the Botany Practical exam at Dhaulagiri Multiple Campus Baglung for two years 

Examination Observer 

1. Conducted exams as an observer in Nuwakot Adarsha Multiple Campus, Battar, Nuwakot for the year 2021.  

FSU Election Committee Member 

For the year 2079, and 2081 in Prithvi Narayan Campus. 

1. Pathak, H.N and G.P.S, Ghimire (2005) Species Diversity and Other Community Characters in Khoriya Fallows under Secondary Succession. In: Nepal Journal of Plant Sciences. Vol 1. Page 91-95. Nepal Botanical Society, Kathmandu. peer-reviewed  journal 
2. Pathak, H.N, and K. Panta (2006) Pattern of Secondary Succession in Khoriya (Slash and Burn). In: Janapragyamanch. Vol 7. Page 30-35. Tribhuwan University Teacher's Association, JMC Unit, Pokhara. 
3. Panta, K and H. N, Pathak(2008) The Use of Plants in Main Hindu Festivals. In: Janapragyamanch. Vol 9. Page 32-40. Tribhuwan University Teacher's Association, JMC Unit, Pokhara. 
4. Pathak, Hom Nath (2009) An Overview on Ethnobotanical Knowledge on Oryza sativa L cultivated in Paiyunpata VDC, Baglung. In: Himalayan Scientific Journal. Vol. 2, Page 53-57. Prithvi Narayan Campus, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University. peer-reviewed journal 
5. Pathak, H.N (2010) Documentation of Non-Timber Forest Products Used in Paiyunpata Village, Baglung, Nepal. Proceedings of National Seminar on Sustainable Use of Biological Resources in Nepal, held at Pokhara, Apr 22-23, 2007, Ecological Society (ECOS), Kathmandu, Nepal. Proceedings book 
6. Pathak, H.N and G.P, Paudyal (2011) Diversity, Uses and Protection of Rice (Oryza sativa L) in Paiyunpata VDC, Baglung. In: Prithvi; A Multidisciplinary Research Journal. Vol. IV, Page (28-32). Research Committee, Prithvi Narayan Campus, Pokhara, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. peer-reviewed journal 
7. Pathak, H.N (2011) Cultivated Plants: Fodder, Fruits, Vegetables and Legumes from Paiyunpata VDC, Baglung. In: Himalayan Scientific Journal. Vol. 4, Page 87-92. Prithvi Narayan Campus, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University. 
8. Ethno-botanical Study on Wild Economic Plants Used in Paiyunpata VDC, Baglung, Nepal, Himalayan Scientific Journal, Vol 5, 67-71 
9. Pathak, Hom Nath (2014) Study of Myrsine capiitellata Wall. in Forest Areas of Paiyunpata Village, Baglung, Nepal. International Journal of Environment (IJE) Vol 3 issue 2. peer-reviewed print 
10. Hom N Pathak (2015) Secondary Succession in Abandoned Crop Fallows: A Review, International Journal of Environment, Volume-4, Issue-3, June-August 2015. Peer reviewed print 
11. Hom N Pathak (2017) Biological Invasion in Wetlands: A Literature Review. Pragyamanch, Volume-15. Peer-reviewed journal. 
12. Pathak, H. N., & Bhuju, D. R. (2018). Secondary succession and soil nutrient dynamics in abandoned fallows of goth in Panchase, central midhill, Nepal. Journal of Natural History Museum, 30, 256-268. 
13. Hom Nath Pathak (2018) Agro-Morphological Diversity (Quantitative Traits) Of Rice (Oryza Sativa L.) Cultivated in Baglung District, Nepal. Himalayan Biodiversity, Volume-6. Peer-reviewed. 
14. Hom Nath Pathak et al. (2019) Floristic Diversity in the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, Central Nepal. Journal of Natural History Museum, Volume-31. Peer-reviewed. 
15. Hom Nath Pathak (2020) Agro-Morphological Diversity (Qualitative Traits) of Oryza sativa L. Cultivated in Paiyunpata Village, Baglung, Nepal. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology (NJST). Volume- 19 Issue-1. Peer-reviewed.   
16. Hom Nath Pathak et al. (2020) Spatial Distribution of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Pokhara Valley, Nepal. Pak. J. Bot., Volume-53 Issuep-3. International, Peer-reviewed, Scimago, Impact factor, Q2 journal. 
17. Hom Nath Pathak et al. (2021). Impacts of Invasive Alien Plants on Ecosystem Services of Ramsar Lake Cluster in Middle Mountain Nepal. Global Ecology and Conservation, Volume-27. International, Peer reviewed, Impact factor, Q1 journal.  
18. Sapana Kafle & Hom Nath Pathak (2023). Diversity of Orchids in Shiureni Forest, Aadhikhola Rural Municipality, Syangja, Nepal. Himalayan Biodiversity, International, Peer Reviewed, Volume-9. 
19. Pathak, H.N., Bhuju, D.R., & Shrestha, B.B. (2024). Introduction pathways of invasive alien plants in the lake cluster of Pokhara valley, Nepal. Prithvi Academic Journal, 7, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3126/paj.v7i1.65741 
20. Pathak, H. N. (2024). Biotic Resistance and Fluctuating Resources: Key Factors for Invasion Success? Multi-Disciplinary Explorations: The Kasthamandap College Journal, 2(2), 73-82. 
21. Chapagain, S., Sapkota, P., Subedi, D. S., & Pathak, H. N. (2025). Spatial Distribution of Invasive Alien Plant Species in Baglung and Kushma Municipalities, Central Nepal. Himalayan Biodiversity, 10, 47-57. 
22. Pathak HN, Baniya CB, Bhuju DR, Shrestha BB (2026) Diversity of naturalized plant species in a Ramsar-listed wetland complex of a mountain valley in the Nepal Himalaya. Journal of Mountain Science 23(2). Q2