Report on

Industrial Visit to CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Banthra Campus, Lucknow

Date of Visit: 09th September 2026

Organised by: MIRC and Maharishi School of Sciences in association with IQAC

Objective: An educational visit to the CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Banthra Campus, Lucknow was organised on 09th September 2026 by the MIRC and Maharishi School of Sciences (Maharishi University, Lucknow Campus) in association with IQAC. The purpose of this visit was to provide students with practical exposure to diverse plant groups and their cultivation, thereby bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world applications in plant sciences, research, and biodiversity conservation.

Participating Students: B.Sc. and M.Sc. students of Botany.

Visit Details: The visit commenced under the guidance of Dr. Devendra Singh, HOD and Scientist (NBRI). During visit, students explored the Lotus Campus, Nakshatra Vatika, Bamboo Garden, Primrose Garden, Turmeric Garden, Heritage Zone, Betel Leaf cultivation area, and Gene Bank. They observed diverse plant resources and learned about their cultivation, management, and conservation.

At the Heritage Zone, students learned about plants associated with historical and cultural heritage, including the preservation of their progenies for future generations. The students also observed betel leaf cultivation practices, including nursery preparation, suitable growing conditions, planting methods, irrigation, shade management, and harvesting techniques. At Gene Bank, students gained insights into the conservation of forest species, endangered plants, and valuable genetic resources.

A practical demonstration on essential oil extraction introduced students to the working of the Clevenger apparatus and hydro-distillation unit. Mr. Jaiprakash, Technical Assistant, interacted with the students and provided valuable explanations on plant propagation, grafting, and conservation practices.

The visit was co-ordinated by faculty member (MSOS) Dr. Madhu Prakash Srivastava.

Students’ Feedback: Students found the visit informative and enriching, particularly appreciating the opportunity to observe botanical resources and conservation practices directly. The practical demonstrations helped them better understand the application of their theoretical knowledge in botanical study and research.

Acknowledgements: The Maharishi School of Sciences expresses its sincere gratitude to Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director (CSIR-NBRI), for granting permission for visit and for valuable assistance provided by the NBRI team for making the visit meaningful and academically beneficial for the students. We extend our gratitude to Hon’ble Vice Chancellor (Prof. Bhanu Pratap Singh), Registrar (Dr. Girish Chhimwal), Dean Academics (Prof. Neeraj Jain), Dean-MSOS (Dr. Nishant Kumar), Dy. Dean-MSOS (Dr. Kanchan Awasthi) for support and guidance. Thanks to Dy Registrar (Dr. Rajesh Singh) and Mr. Kaustubh Misra (MIRC) for facilitating the visit.