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Professor Aditya
Narain Purohit was 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 Research 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, Shimla,
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 Alpine 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. After superannuation
from H.N.B. Garhwal University
in 2002, he was offered the special Chair by Government of Uttarakhand to
advice on conservation, development and cultivation of medicinal and aromatic
plants in the State. He has established a Centre for Aromatic Plants for the
State.
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.
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.
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Prof.
A.N Purohit receiving Padmashri Award from President of India, 1998
Receiving Birbal Sahini Medal from Prime
Minister of India (Atal Bihari Vajpayee)
Receiving Om Prakash Bhasin Award from Minister Education (Prof M.M Joshi)
Launching Badrinath Restoration program at Badrinath
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