The students from I, II, III Year B Sc and I Year M Sc from the School of Applied and Life Sciences, Uttaranchal University, visited the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun on 25 September 2024. The main purpose of the visit was to gain research insights into botanical gardens and biodiversity conservation. It was organized to enhance the student's understanding of FRI's research methodologies and conservation practices.
The visit began at the Botanical Garden, an extensive collection of native and exotic plant species. The students also visited the Herbarium, the second largest herbarium in India, which has a vast collection of unique plant specimens. Dr Praveen Kumar Verma, Scientist D organized a technical session and explained the ecological role, medicinal properties, and conservation status of plants. The students had an opportunity to observe various plant species, including rare and endangered ones, medicinal plants, and some large trees, native to the Indian subcontinent. They were introduced to processes involved in research like collecting, pressing, drying, and mounting specimens. It provided an interactive learning platform for students to complement their theoretical studies with practical exposure to plant diversity, conservation efforts, and herbarium techniques significantly enhancing their botanical knowledge and research skills in botany, plant sciences, and environmental conservation.
