Union Minister Jitendra Singh Dedicates First-of-Its-Kind 'Eco-Educational Hub' to Nation in Lucknow, UP

Key facts

• Union Minister Jitendra Singh dedicated the first-of-its-kind CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) 'Eco-Educational Hub' 'Prakriti Gyan Dham' to the nation at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre (MPBC), Banthra, Lucknow.
• The Eco-Educational Hub is a living repository of India's botanical and cultural legacy, integrating scientific research, environmental education, biodiversity conservation, botanical heritage and cultural interpretation.
• The central experiential feature of the Hub is the PAaVan Path (Plants and Associated Vegetations for Appreciating Nature), an interpretive heritage trail through curated plant collections from diverse ecological regions.
• The Indian Heritage Garden includes heritage trees propagated from historically significant locations, such as the Bawan Imli Tamarind Tree from Fatehpur, the Mother Dussehri Mango Tree from Lucknow, the Patalpuri Banyan of Prayagraj, and a mango tree planted by Mahatma Gandhi at Bhitiharwa, Champaran.
• The Indian Heritage Garden uses QR-enabled audio systems to provide visitors with historical, cultural and botanical information about heritage trees through their smartphones.
• The Vibhav Enclave - Threatened Plants of India Garden is dedicated to rare, endangered and threatened plant species and raises awareness about biodiversity loss, habitat degradation, climate change and the need to conserve plant genetic resources.
• The Bhairav Enclave - State Plants of India Garden brings together officially designated State Plants of States and Union Territories, presenting their ecological, cultural and symbolic significance.
• The Bamboosteum houses 43 indigenous and exotic bamboo species and demonstrates bamboo's role in ecological restoration, carbon sequestration, soil conservation, sustainable livelihoods, traditional craftsmanship and green infrastructure.