Community-Based Field Workshop on Orchid Pollinator Conservation in the Western Himalaya
Keeping up with mission of “Science for Society”, The Department of Biosciences along with the Centre for Sustainable Ecology and Biodiversity Research (CSEBR), Graphic Era University (GEU), successfully organized a two-day “Community-Based Field Workshop on Orchid Pollinator Conservation for Sustainable Mountain Development in the Western Himalayan Region” at Ghimtoli, Rudraprayag, on October 27–28, 2025.
The event was financially supported by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Government of India, GBPNIHE (Govt of India), Almora, and the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, Govt of Uttarakhand.
The workshop attended by over 100 participants including women farmers, community workers, local representatives and university students from Dept of Biosciences, GEU and Department of Forestry, HNB Garhwal University (A Central university) was inaugurated by Dr. S.P. Subuddhi, IFS, Chairman, Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board, Government of Uttarakhand (Chief Guest), and Sh. Rajat Suman, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, Rudraprayag (Guest of Honour). Other distinguished guests included Dr. Divakar Pant, Sh. Devender Singh Pundir, Assistant Conservator of Forests; Professor R.K. Maikhuri, Head, Department of Environmental Sciences; Professor D.S. Chauhan and Professor B.P. Chamola, Department of Forestry, HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal; Dr. Hari Raj Singh; and Smt. Kavita Devi, Gram Pradhan, Ghimtoli, who also jointly inaugurated an orchid polyhouse established at the Centre.
A hands-on training session conducted by Professor Manu Pant, on orchid propagation techniques was a major highlight of the workshop, offering practical experience to women farmers and students in cultivating orchids using low-cost, sustainable methods.
