Central University of Jammu Organises National Seminar on Opportunities for Botanical Tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, UT

JAMMU, March 15: Department of Botany, Central University of Jammu hosted a momentous one-day national seminar on “Opportunities for Botanical Tourism in Jammu & Kashmir, UT.” Distinguished academicians and scholars convened at the inauguration ceremony to explore the synergy between botanical sciences and the burgeoning travel and tourism industry in the region.

Prof. Sanjeev Jain, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, CUJ extended warm congratulations to Prof.  Brijmohan Singh Bhau, Head of the Botany Department, and his team for pioneering this initiative. He commended their efforts in seamlessly amalgamating botanical sciences with the essence of travel and tourism in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), stressing the pivotal role of interdisciplinary education in academic institutions.

The keynote address was delivered by Prof. (Retd.) AK Koul, Department of Botany, University of Jammu. A renowned botanist of international repute, he highlighted the urgency of addressing environmental challenges and advocated for the inclusion of botanical tourism courses to cater to the growing demand for serene destinations among tourists. Prof.  Namrata Sharma, Department of Botany, University of Jammu, Sh. OP Sharma Vidyarthi, IFS (Retd.), PCCF Govt. J&K, and Dr. Ranjeet Kumar Raman, Head of the Department of Tourism and Travel Management at CUJ, also shared valuable insights as invited speakers.

The seminar commenced with Prof. BS Bhau welcoming the delegates, and shedding light on J&K’s status as a premier ecotourism destination, boasting attractions like the renowned tulip garden and the picturesque landscapes of Pahalgam adorned with a diverse array of medicinal plants. He stressed the crucial need for conservation efforts, urging heightened awareness, education, and strategic alliances to foster biodiversity conservation and ecotourism.

Prof. Deepak Pathania, Dean Research Studies, CUJ, on the occasion emphasized the need to explore and nurture the opportunities in this field and Prof. Sunil Dhar, Dean School of Life Sciences suggested the development of unique gardens such as Spice park in the Jammu region. Prof. N. Sharma underscored the significance of exploring the local flora while traversing the foothills of the Himalayas in J&K. She advocated for the creation of organic homestays to preserve nature while promoting tourism sustainably. Sh. OP Sharma Vidyarthi,IFS spoke of various niche tourism opportunities under the ambit of Botanical tourism, emphasizing the promotion of traditional cuisine at various tourist destinations in J&K, serving dishes and beverages crafted from indigenous, endemic, and medicinal plants, thus enriching the tourism experience. Dr. Ranjeet Kumar Raman proposed the idea of promoting Botanical Tourism as a product to harness entrepreneurial opportunities through tourism in J&K.

The seminar envisioned a new trajectory for Botanical sciences by intertwining it with the realm of tourism, fostering job opportunities and sustainable development. The experts collectively highlighted the seminar’s aims and objectives, envisioning it as a catalyst for innovation and growth in both fields.

Dr. Dharam Chand, Organizing Secretary, apprised that the seminar witnessed participation from around 150 participants from all across the state and country. The conference had 3 invited talks, 6 oral and 6 poster presentations. The valedictory was presided over by Prof. Bhau where he congratulated the organizing team on its success. Prof. Bhau presented the awards for the best oral presentation to Koshika Sharma and the awards for the best poster presentation was bestowed upon Harsha and Anjali. The conference was fully sponsored by the University Grants Commission. Vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Ashok Kumar, Department of Botany, Central University of Jammu.