Bashambhar Nath Chopra obtained his DSc degree from Panjab University, Lahore. His specialization was in zoology and fisheries. He was Assistant Superintendent (1923-44) and Director (1944-47), Zoological Survey of India, Indian Museum, Kolkata; Deputy Fisheries Development Adviser and Fisheries Development Adviser (1947-till retirement), Government of India.

Academic and Research Achievements: Chopra was an outstanding zoologist. He initially worked on the Indian bopyrid parasites, which won him the Doctorate at Lahore and specialized in crustaceans. He had varied interests in systematics. His other studies relate to amphibians, reptiles, mollusca, insects, fisheries, and fish mortality. At the Zoological Survey of India, he was responsible for extensive field surveys in different parts of the British Empire including Burma and Ceylon besides undivided India, and one of his earliest surveys of a fairly long duration covered the Shan States and the Indawggyi Lake in Upper Burma. He left behind a rich legacy of carcinological research in India.

Other Contributions: During his tenure as Fisheries Development Adviser, Chopra contributed greatly to the development of inland and marine fisheries of India.

Awards and Honours: Chopra was President, Zoology and Entomology Section of Indian Science Congress (1943). He was Founder Fellow of Zoological Society of India.

Indian National Science Academy has instituted 'Bashambhar Nath Chopra Memorial Lecture' to honour him.