Avay Shukla is a former Indian Adminstrative officer, environmentalist and a writer. He served in the IAS for 35 years and retired as Additional Chief Secretary of Himachal Pradesh in 2010. In 2009 he was appointed by the High Court of Himachal Pradesh to monitor the environmental compliance of hydel projects in the state. His report was the first official report to recognise the critical environmental impacts of Hydropower projects in the State. His recommendations to prevent the development of dams beyond a certain altitude and to limit the expansion of existing dams have since formed the basis for the comprehensive studies for the Chenab and Beas river basins, within the larger Indus river basin.

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In 2009 and 2010, he was a part of the Steering Committee of the HP State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority. The committee was responsible for allocating funds for work to be undertaken from the funds deposited in CAMPA. His committee also devised guidelines for utilisation of NPV funds under the State CAMPA. Further he was part of an initiative undertaken by the Reserve Bank of India to improve banking services in Himachal Pradesh. His work provided for multiple recommendations for establishment of a banking sector tailored to the needs of each and every group in Himachal Pradesh.

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His efforts in Himachal Pradesh led to the creation of Khir Ganga National Park and the Inder Killa National Parks in 2010. He is a pioneer in the eco-tourism sector in India and is a founding member of the Eco-tourism society of India (now known as Responsible Tourism Society of India). He is deeply attached to Himachal Pradesh and has trekked to the remotest parts of Himachal Pradesh documenting the living conditions, lifestyles, myths and local legends of the people in such parts.