CSIR-IHBT Palampur Celebrated its 41st Foundation Day

CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur celebrated its 41st
Foundation Day on 2 July 2023. The chief guest of the function was Dr. Parvinder Kaushal, Vice
Chancellor, Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar,
Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. In his address, he appreciated the achievements of the institute while giving
best wishes on the foundation day. He further said that the university and the CSIR-IHBT will work
together on floriculture, aromatic crops, and crops of medicinal and industrial importance. An agreement was
also signed in this regard today.
Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-National Interdisciplinary Institute of Science and
Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala was the keynote speaker. He delivered a lecture on the subject
“Science, Technology, and Innovation Development for a Sustainable Future”. He urged the audience to
focus on the judicious use of energy, food, and water. He also highlighted the importance of green hydrogen
production, 2G ethanol, the future of food & nutrition, and customer satisfaction.
Earlier, Dr. Sudesh Kumar Yadav, Director, CSIR-IHBT highlighted the achievements of the institute for
the year 2022-23. He said that under the CSIR-Aroma Mission, the area under cultivation of aromatic
crops has been increased to 3000 hectares and 17 additional distillation units (total 61 units) have been set
up in the farmers’ fields, through which farmers’ groups have been empowered in the production of
aromatic oil. In CSIR-Floriculture Mission, the area under floriculture was expanded to 250 hectares
benefitting 649 farmers. In his address, he further emphasized that the country has a lot of hope from
science and technology. Therefore, it is our responsibility to keep striving towards fulfilling the
expectations of the nation and the world. He explained in detail about the institute’s potential and new
opportunities in promoting bioeconomy.
On this occasion Dr. Parvinder Kaushal also released the Annual Report 2022-23 of the CSIR-IHBT. The
institute also signed MoUs with Municipal Corporation, Palampur, Deccan Healthcare, Veer Chandra
Singh Garhwali Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, Bharsar, Pauri Garhwal,
Uttarakhand.
Additionally, 50 students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Paprola, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Alhalal and
Senior Secondary School, Baijnath also participated and visited the laboratories under the program of
Jigyaasa and Vigyaan Jyoti.
Dr. S.K. Sharma, former Vice-Chancellor of CSK Agricultural University Palampur, Mr. Ashish Sharma
Municipal Corporation Commissioner, Mrs. Poonam Bali Mayor and other dignitaries of Palampur also
participated in the programme. Staff, students, and former employees of the CSIR-IHBT along