Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences
Our History
With the inception of the College of Basic Sciences in May, 1991, the Department of Botany and Zoology came into existence along with 5 other departments. The department primarily since its inception was a teaching department and offered courses in the twin disciplines of Botany and Zoology to the Under-graduate students of the college as well as constituent colleges of the university. With the clubbing of Environmental Sciences and merger of the Department of Plant Physiology, the department has been renamed as the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences since January 2009. The department offered Post-graduation teaching leading to M.Sc. degree in the disciplines of Biology and Environmental Sciences starting from 2007-08 academic session upto 2018. It is the mission of the Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences to be a knowledge and culture-bearing institution that creates new biological insight through excellent research. We also aim to educate highly qualified candidates through research-oriented teaching and through a strong commitment to society. The courses of the disciplines (Botany, Zoology, Plant physiology and Environmental Science) are taught to students of various programmes of constituent colleges of university at UG level.
Our Strengths
- The Department takes prides in having an experienced, diverse and highly qualified faculty which continuously strives for excellence in academics and other co-curricular activities. The teachers continuously guide the students, teach them and counsel them. The personal relationship that is established between the teachers and students help them to better their own score and maintain a congenial atmosphere in the department.
- Department has well equipped 2 undergraduate labs and one post graduate lab. Also the lab staff is well trained.
- Department has completed various research projects of funding worth > 6 crores and currently there are 5 ongoing research projects worth more than 80 Lakhs. In addition there are revolving fund projects on Bamboo cultivation and Vermicomposting.
Thrust Areas
- Medicinal and aromatic plants
- Pollution and biodiversity
- Toxicology
- Animal Cytogenetics
- Solid waste management
- Teaching of Under-Graduate students of College of Basic Sciences and constituent colleges in the twin disciplines of Botany and Zoology
- To bring about an integration of Biology with Agriculture for research and development for sustainable agriculture
- To participate in the Extension Education activities of the university for the dissemination of latest technology
Research & Extension highlights
Bamboo Nursery is being raised for the species namely Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, Dendrocalamus strictus, Dendrocalamus hookeri, Bamboosa bamboos, Phyllostachys nigra. In addition a total of 25000 bamboo saplings were sold to different agencies for distribution to farmers.
Under research project on solid waste management using Termites along with termite diverisity analysis and morphological identification of 11 species of termites in Palampur region, potential of 3 termite species namely Heterotermes gertrudae, H. indicola and Odontotermes bhagwatii in solid waste management was determined by setting in-situ and ex situ experiments using different parameters.
Workshops organized for farmers
More than 50 trainings were organised in Chamba, Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur for vermicomposting and vermiculture for farmers during the years 2006-2010.
VERMICOMPOSTING UNIT
Department has a well established Vermicomposting Unit and there is sale of more than 100 quintals of vermicompost every year that benefits the Farmers and plant growers of the nearby villages.
Items Available
1.Vermicompost* Rs.15/- per Kg 2.Vermiculture* Rs. 200/- per Kg
Courses offered in the Department
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences consists of 4 disciplines i.e. Botany, Zoology, Environmental Sciences and plant physiology.
- The courses of the disciplines are taught to students of BSc.-life Sciences and to various programmes of constituent colleges of university at UG level and PG level.
Our Faculty
At Main Campus
Dr. Usha rana
Professor & Head
Area of Expertise:Stress Physiology(drought tolerance and cold tolerance)
Research Interests: Stress Physiology(drought tolerance and cold tolerance)
Email: usharana@hillagric.ac.in
Dr. Radhika Sharma
Assistant Professor
Area of Expertise: Animal cytogenetics, Termites, Insect phylogeny,Drug toxicology
Research Interests: Animal cytogenetics, Insect phylogeny, solid waste management, toxicology, pharmacology
Technical & Office staff
1. Atul Kumar 2. Subhash | Farm Manager Peon |
Photogallery
