The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Graphic Era (Deemed to be University), organized an educational field visit to Navdanya Farms, Dehradun, on November 15, 2025, as part of its Community Outreach Program for the Political Science and BA programs. Students from the Political Science discipline participated actively in this visit. The program was coordinated by research scholar Abhishek Rana under the guidance of Dr. Bharti Sharma and Mr. Naveen Nawal.

Navdanya, founded by eminent environmentalist and scholar Dr. Vandana Shiva, is a national initiative dedicated to biodiversity conservation, organic agriculture, and the protection of farmers’ rights. The name “Navdanya,” meaning “nine seeds,” symbolizes the preservation of India’s rich seed heritage and indigenous crop varieties.

During the visit, students gained firsthand exposure to Navdanya’s holistic model of sustainable farming and ecological restoration. A major highlight was the tour of the Seed Bank, where traditional seed varieties are preserved to promote agricultural diversity and resilience. Resource persons at Navdanya elaborated on the principles of chemical-free farming, the interdependence of ecosystems, and the necessity of community engagement to achieve environmental sustainability.

The field visit provided a valuable experiential learning opportunity, enabling students to relate theoretical concepts of sustainability to practical applications. The program concluded with an interactive reflection session, during which students shared their insights and appreciated the pivotal role of institutions like Navdanya in advancing environmental awareness and responsibility.