HISTORY:

The Department of Botany was established in 2004 with a small group of guest faculty members and a limited number of students. Over the years, both faculty and student numbers have grown. Under the guidance of Dr. Lalhmangaihzuali Ralte, the Head of the Department, significant academic progress has been made, producing numerous graduates, some of whom have performed exceptionally well in the University Examinations.

Faculty Strength : 6

Rank Holders :

1.  Lalniengi, 7^th Rank, 2009
2. PC Lalhmingmawii, 5^th Rank, 2015

Uniqueness Of The Department

1. The Department of Botany introduced the Student of the Month award in 2020 to address the challenges of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially for 1st to 4th semester students, it aims to bridge the gap between online and traditional learning. The award includes a certificate and a Rs. 300 cash incentive, helping students cover one month's internet subscription. Despite the pandemic's subsiding, the department continues to recognize the importance of this initiative, aiming to motivate students in academic and co-curricular pursuits.
2. The department also believes in a "learning through observation" approach. To support this, it has set up a Demonstration Garden near the department laboratory, featuring various types of plants included in the syllabus. This initiative aims to encourage students to gain knowledge, particularly in taxonomic botany, not only from textbooks but also through practical experiences and observations.

Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Challenges ( SWOC) analysis

Strength:

• Qualified, experienced, and competent faculty with dedication and commitment.
• Creating a good relationship with the students and cultivating an academic environment that helps them improve their academic performance, as well as caring for their overall well-being.

Weakness:

•      Inadequate space and equipment in laboratory is the major problem corresponding to the increasing students. 
• There is no separate departmental room, which makes it inconvenient to address various departmental issues and conduct department meetings.

Opportunities:

•      The department prioritizes the upkeep and improvement of the Botanical Garden and Herbarium, highlighting the importance of plant taxonomy.
•     These resources aid in identifying the diverse plant species on campus. Ultimately, this initiative enhances the likelihood of securing projects related to these areas from government sectors, thereby enriching the learning experience of students.

Challenges:

• The existence of public roads traversing the campus presents difficulties in conserving the abundant diversity of plants in the Demonstration Garden and across the campus. Consequently, this poses a significant obstacle to students' practical experiences and observations.
• The feeder institution experiences a shortage of teachers in the department of Botany, leading to a negative impact on student enrollment in the department.
•  Acquiring funds for minor and major research projects from UGC, DST, SERB, CSIR, etc., proves to be quite challenging.