About
Department of Botany: A Legacy of Excellence, Research and Sustainable Innovation
History: The Department of Botany at Kashi Naresh University, Bhadohi, has a distinguished legacy of more than seven decades in teaching, research and scientific education. Its academic journey began on 23 August 1952, with the commencement of undergraduate teaching in Botany at the erstwhile Kashi Naresh Government Post Graduate College, Gyanpur. Since then, the Department has developed a strong academic identity through its commitment to plant sciences, biodiversity, environmental awareness and scientific research. Postgraduate teaching commenced in 1958, further strengthening its contribution to higher education and research.
Specialized Area: Over the years, the Department has been enriched by generations of eminent teachers and researchers working in diverse areas such as Plant Pathology, Plant Ecology, Plant Physiology, Allelopathy, Taxonomy, Palaeobotany, Economic Botany, Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences.
Research and Development: Research and development have remained central to the Department's growth since the early 1960s. Faculty members have undertaken research projects supported by agencies including the University Grants Commission (UGC), CSIR/UPCsIR and the Department of Higher Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The Department has also developed a strong tradition of Minor Research Projects. Prof. Pradeep Narayan Dongre established a notable research programme in Allelopathy and received UGC Minor Research Project support on three occasions for studies on the allelopathic effects of different crops. Prof. Dr. Rashmi Singh has also successfully completed research projects funded by UGC and the Department of Higher Education, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
The Department's academic outlook has been further enriched through international exposure. Prof. Ashwini Kumar Mishra pursued advanced research at Nanjing University, China, under a fellowship supported by the Governments of India and China, and subsequently at the University of Budapest, Hungary, under an INSA Exchange Fellowship.
Courses offered: At present, the Department offers B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes, combining classroom teaching with laboratory training, field studies and research. Workshops, seminars, invited lectures, scientific training programmes and skill-development activities provide students with exposure to contemporary developments in plant sciences.
Initiatives: Under its major initiatives, the Department has benefited from the DBT STAR College Scheme, the Institution's Innovation Council (IIC) and Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA). These initiatives promote practical learning, innovation, community engagement, scientific awareness and research-oriented education. Through Unnat Bharat Abhiyan, the Department also contributes to rural development and community outreach by encouraging scientific solutions and sustainable practices relevant to local needs.
Well Equipped Laboratory: The Department is supported by well-equipped laboratories containing facilities such as BOD Incubator, Centrifuge, Calorimeter, pH Meter, Soil-Water Analysis Kit, Spectrophotometer, Image Analysing Microscope, Double Distillation Unit, Clevenger Apparatus, Soxhlet Apparatus, Autoclave, Laminar Flow Cabinet. The Botanical Museum, Herbarium and Herbal Garden further enrich learning through valuable collections of herbarium specimens, medicinal plants, seeds, fruits, wood samples, fossils and permanent slides.
Looking ahead, the Department is committed to advancing research in plant pathology, biodiversity conservation, environmental sciences, medicinal plants, interdisciplinary research, innovation and digital learning, while strengthening laboratories, modernising the greenhouse, digitising botanical collections and expanding national and international collaborations.