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.