BSI Western Himalayan High Altitude Regional Circle to come at Nauni

Three member team visits the university to inspect proposed land, infrastructure
Dharamshala, December 20, 2018: A three-member team of Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) yesterday visited Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni. The visit was in relation to the opening of a new Regional Circle of the BSI at the university.
The team-Dr BK Sinha and Dr AA Mao, Additional Director BSI and Dr Sandeep Chauhan, Joint Director, MoEFCC, visited the proposed site and inspected the infrastructure allotted by the university to set up the new circle. The team also conducted a meeting with University Vice-Chancellor Dr HC Sharma,Director Research DrJN Sharma and Registrar Sh. Rajesh Kumar.
Over the past one year, several discussions were held between the university and the MoEFCC regarding the opening of the new circle after which the two institutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding for opening the Western Himalayan High Altitude Regional Circle of BSI at the university campus after getting in principle permission from the state government. Recently, the university’s Board of Management approved around 6.6 acres of land for the establishment of the centre. The cost of developing the centre along with running cost will be borne by MoEFCC.
The University and MoEF&CC will also work towards developing joint collaboration in research, teaching and extension in plant research with special emphasis on classical taxonomy, biodiversity, plant conservation and molecular taxonomy. Besides, the students of the university will be able to choose BSI scientists posted at the center as research guides.
“Once established, the new BSI circle will be helpful in promoting research work on the rich flora and biodiversity of the Himalayan region. Moreover, the students of the university will be the biggest gainers because both institutions will work towards increasing collaborations in research and teaching. The researchers from both institutions will be able to utilize each other’s facilities,” said Dr HC Sharma.
He added that the university was also providing temporary space to make the centre functional at the earliest.