India's First Eco-Educational Hub: Prakriti Gyan Dham

#GS-3 #Environment #Biodiversity #Sustainable Development #Science & Technology #GS-2 #Current Events #National #Prakriti Gyan Dham #CSIR-NBRI

Key takeaways

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology dedicated Prakriti Gyan Dham, India's first open-air eco-educational hub, to the nation in Banthra near Lucknow.
Developed by CSIR-NBRI, the hub translates laboratory research into public knowledge to promote environmental awareness and support green livelihoods.
Key attractions include the PAaVan Path trail, an Indian Heritage Garden with QR audio-guides, and a Bamboosteum featuring 43 bamboo species.
The facility also houses the Vibhav and Bhairav enclaves to preserve rare plant species and display official state plants from across India.

The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology dedicated Prakriti Gyan Dham, India's first eco-educational hub, to the nation.

Prakriti Gyan Dham is an interactive open-air learning center that displays India's rich plant diversity, ancient trees, and ecological research.
It functions as an outdoor classroom where students, researchers, nature lovers, and farmers can learn about plant science and green resources firsthand.

The center is located at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre (MPBC) in Banthra, on the outskirts of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.
The CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) in Lucknow designed and built this facility.
The initiative aims to move scientific knowledge from laboratories to the public, support plant conservation, and create jobs through bio-technologies.

The PAaVan Path serves as the main walking trail, featuring selected plant species from various ecological zones across India.
The Indian Heritage Garden contains cloned saplings of historic and sacred trees, accompanied by smartphone QR audio guides.
The Bamboosteum showcases 43 native and exotic bamboo species that absorb carbon, restore degraded soil, and supply eco-friendly materials for crafts.
The Vibhav Enclave focuses specifically on protecting rare, endangered, and threatened plant species of India.
The Bhairav Enclave presents a living garden map featuring the official state plants of every Indian State and Union Territory.
The facility promotes technology transfer by connecting lab-developed herbal formulations with commercial partners right on campus.

It creates a practical Lab-to-Land model that transforms complex ecological research into simple public knowledge for better community awareness.
It helps preserve historical trees and threatened plants while strengthening eco-tourism initiatives across CSIR centers.