Study tour of M.Sc. Environment Management to UCOST
Students of M.Sc Environment Management Ist semester went on a study tour cum practical demonstration to Biodiversity Park and Regional Science Centre of Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology, Dehradun, on 23rd August 2019 under the guidance of Dr. H.B. Vashistha and Dr. Mridula Negi. The journey begins from the Forest Research Institute campus at 9.00 am and reached the site at 10.00 am in Jhajhra, Dehradun.
Biodiversity park spread over 0.08 hectare containing more than 200 species. Earlier it was a part of riverine ecosystem. To utilize that land area Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Technology gave the task to Forest Research Institute to develop a Biodiversity park. It was done under Forest Ecology and Climate Change Divison. It was one of the best example of conversion of riverine ecosystem to Biodiversity park.
Dr. H.B.Vashistha and Dr. Mridula Negi demonstrate the students about ecological importance of several plant species. Plantation in Biodiversity Park is theme based. First students are being told about Navgragh theme where one plant is dedicated to one planet. Likewise Nakshatra theme contains 27 different species. Same with the another themes, fruit bearing theme, agro-forestry theme, medicinal and aromatic plants, miscellaneous theme, timber species, fodder species and bamboo theme. After all the themes were studied students went to museums of Regional Science Centre.
Trip helped the students to learn about various plant species that can be utilized to restore degraded land.
