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The Department of Botany established in 1952 and is known in
India as one of the leading centre for teaching and research in
plant sciences. Since its inception department made progress due
to innovative efforts of the former Heads Prof. T. S. Mahabale,
Prof. M. S. Balakrishnan, Prof. S. B. David and Prof. S. D.
Patil in the field of Palms, Palaeobotany, Algology, Mycology
and Experiment Botany. One of the leading paleobotanist Dr.
Andrews choose this department to work in the palaeobotany.
Keeping pace with the changing scenario, the department has
initiated teaching and research in different specialized areas
of botany. The teaching program are being updated with respect
to the advancement in the field of botany. Department took
initiative from time to time, to develop communication skills of
the students. Under the summer training program the students are
deputed to the reputed national research institutes for hands on
training in the emerging fields of botany.
In the field of research so far the Department has succeeded in
getting grants from various funding agenesis like UGC, DBT, DST,
CSIR, MOEF, BRNS, ISRO, for various basic & applied research
etc. Based on its subsequently UGC granted special funds under
its SAP program and the Department was awarded DRS-I followed by
DRS-II and ASIST. Similarly DST also provided funds for
infrastructure development under FIST program. Now department is
concentrating its research programs in the area of biodiversity
assessment, conservation, and bioprospecting of the plant wealth
located in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The department has
also established collaboration with leading research institutes
of India and abroad.
In addition, Botanical garden of the department has remained as
the unique identity in country having the collection of over 490
species of 310 genera from 81 families which includes 22 species
of Palms, rare ferns, and gymnosperms and medicinal plants. It
is supplemented with well equipped herbarium having 8,500
species.
The department also has a well built museum, which now attract
large number of schools & colleges.
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