Padamashree award winner
Prof. A.N. PUROHIT Professor Aditya Narain Purohit born on July 30, 1940 in village Kimni, Dist. Chamoli. He has served as the Vice-Chancellor of H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar Garhwal, Director of High Altitude Plant Physiology Reseach Center of H.N.B. Garhwal University. He was also the Director of G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development from 1990 to 1995.
Prof. Purohit had his early education in Tharali and Rudraprayag in Dist. Chamoli. Lansdown in dist. Pauri, Nainital and research studies in Panjab University Chandigarh. He worked at F.R.I. Dehra Dun, Panjab University Chandigarh, Central Potato Research Institute, Simla, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong before joining H.N.B. Garhwal University in 1977. He has traveled all over the world to deliver lecturers and seminars in various conferences.
After joining Garhwal University, Prof. Purohit initiated work on high altitude plants. He established a High Altitude Plant Physiology Research Centre with its alpine field station at 13000-ft elevation at Tungnath, which is the first Alipne Center in the Country. The work conducted at this Centre has reveals that high altitude species are less sensitive than the low altitude species to the environmental stresses. The germination studies of alpine plants made by Prof. Purohit and his associates have helped in germinating many endangered species and establishing them in nature in the alpine field station at Tungnath. He and his associates have come up with the cultivation technology for Aconites, alpine and sub-alpine plants of very high medicinal value, where yield is increased 10 to 12 fold. He has made valuable scientific contribution on mountain plants and the mountain ecosystem.
Prof. Purohit, as Director, also helped Govt. of India in establishing G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development. The Institute has its units all over Indian Himalaya. With the assistance of all the staff members of the Institute, During his tenure, he initiated number of programmes in Himalayan region. “Badrivan Restoration” with the help of pilgrims was one of the unique programme which has been cited internationally as a model for restoration of religious places all over the World.
Prof. Purohit is a Fellow of Indian Academy of Sciences, New Delhi, National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad and National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi. He has to his credit 175 original research publications in various national and international journals of repute. He has authored one book and edited three volumes. As recognition to his significant contribution to science and academic achievements, the President of India conferred on him the prestigious Padam Shri in 1997. Besides this, he was awarded SISCO- sponsored Award for environmental sciences by National Academy of Sciences in 1992; Seth Memorial Award by Indian Society of Tree Scientists for his contribution in tree ecophysiology; Vir Keshri Environment-conservation Award in 1996 and conferred the title of Doon Ratna by Citizens Council, Dehra Dun; Om Prakash Bhashin Foundation Award for advancement of Science and Technology, 1996; R.D. Asana Lecturership Award by ICAR in 1998 and Birbal Sahni Birth Centenary Award 2002-2003 by The Indian Science Congress Association for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of science.
He was the member of Board of Governors, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Nepal from 1991-1997; Member, Initial Organizing Committee of International Mountain Forum from 1995 to 1997. He is also the member of Editorial Board for Journal of Sustainable Forestry, USA, Recently he has been appointed in research board of advisors for the American Biographical Institute. Based on media research, academic recommendations and merits, Prof. Purohit's name has been included in the tenth Edition of International Directory of Distinguished Leadership in Science and has been awarded the title of Most Influential Scientist of the Decade by ABI,USA in April, 2002.
Besides being the member of several National Committees, Prof. Purohit was the member of Expert Group constituted by Planning Commission, Govt. of India to formulate the National Policy for Development of Himalayan Region. He was instrumental in preparing the Action Plant for Himalayan Region, which was approved by the Indian Parliament in 1992.
www.adityapurohit.com
