Department of Botany and Microbiology
Head of Department: Dr. Archana Bajpai
About Department:
The Department of Botany is an active and student-friendly academic unit dedicated to teaching plant sciences and developing awareness about nature and environment. The department encourages students to understand plants, microorganisms, and biodiversity not only as academic subjects but also as essential components of daily life and ecological balance. It contributes significantly to life science education in the college and promotes scientific thinking among learners.
The department offers undergraduate teaching in Botany as per the university syllabus, which is regularly updated with recent developments in biological sciences. The courses include plant diversity, morphology, anatomy, cell biology, genetics, plant physiology, ecology, economic botany, biotechnology, and environmental science. Basic concepts of microbiology are also introduced so that students learn about algae, fungi, bacteria, and their importance in soil fertility, decomposition, agriculture, and human welfare. Teaching is carried out through lectures, discussions, charts, models, and digital presentations so that students can easily understand and relate the topics to real-life situations.
The department has a well-organized laboratory with microscopes, slides, specimens, charts, and teaching models. Students are trained in microscope handling, slide preparation, herbarium preparation, and identification of local plants. They are also introduced to basic microbiological observations such as staining demonstrations and observation of microorganisms under the microscope. Practical classes help students develop observation skills, accuracy, and confidence in laboratory work.
Faculty members are experienced and actively involved in teaching and academic activities. With teaching experience and research publications, the department continuously tries to improve learning methods by using interactive teaching, demonstrations, and ICT-based presentations.
To make learning more interesting, the department organizes field visits, plant collection activities, and nature study programs. Students observe local vegetation, collect specimens, and learn about biodiversity and ecological relationships. They are also made aware of the role of microorganisms in decomposition, composting, and environmental management. Academic events such as National Science Day and Environment Day are celebrated through poster presentations, models, quizzes, and seminars.
The department regularly conducts tree plantation, cleanliness drives, and environmental awareness activities to develop social and environmental responsibility among students. Students are guided regarding higher education and career opportunities in teaching, research, agriculture, environmental science, and microbiology.
Overall, the Department of Botany aims at the holistic development of students by combining classroom teaching, practical training, and field learning. The department strives to develop scientific attitude, curiosity, and respect for nature, preparing students for higher studies and future careers in biological sciences.
List of Supervisors with Number of PHD Registered and Awarded
Dr. Preetibala Dongre Co-supervisor (4 students registered);
Dr. Sapna Rai Supervisor (1 student PhD Awarded)
Regular Staff Members
Dr. Archana Bajpai,
Dr IP Kori,
Dr Preetibala Dongre,
Dr Sapna Rai,
Dr Pooja Gupta,
Dr Daulatram Gwalvanshi,
Dr Shalaindra Singh
| S. No. | Topic | Speaker |
| 01 | Ozone layer depletion and its effects | Dr. H.D. Kumar, B.H.U. Varansi |
| 02 | Recent advances in Mycology | Dr. G.P. Agarwal, Retd. Prof. & Head. Bioscience Deptt. R.D. University, Jabalpur |
| 03 | New Dimensions of Biotechnology | Dr. S.K. Hasija, Retd. Prof. and Head, Bioscience, R.D. University, Jabalpur |
| 04 | Evolutionary Biology and Environment | Dr. S. Bhatnagar, Retd. Prof. Dept of Environmental Science, APS University, Rewa. |
| 05 | Biological Control | Dr. R.C. Rajak, Retd. Prof. Bioscience Dept. Rani Durgavati University , Jabalpur |
| 06 | Biofertilizers | Dr. Jamaluddin Head Plant pathology T.F.R.I., JBP. |
| 07 | Higher Basidiomycets | Dr. C. K. Tiwari, Scientist, T.F.R.I. JBP. |
| 08 | General Plant Diseases and Control | Dr. K. K. Soni, Scientist, T.F.R.I., JBP |
| 09 | Systems Ecology | Dr. Nandita Tiwari NGO Jabalpur |
| 10 | Remote Sensing and its application | Dr. P. K. Singhal, Professor, Dept. of Bioscience R.D. University, Jabalpur |
| 11 | Electron Microscope Structure Function and Application | Dr. S. S. Bisen, Scientist, T.F.R.I. JBP. |
| 12 | EIA with Special Reference To Biodiversity and Conservation | Dr. Kailash Chandra.Regional Director, Zoological Surevey of India, Jabalpur |
| 13 | Remote Sensing and GIS | MS. A. Bhattacharya, Jabalpur |
| 14 | Life in Extreme Environment | Dr. B.D. Parashar, DRDO, Gwalior |
| 15 | Biotechnology Application in Environment Science | Dr. Sharad Tiwari J.N.K.V.V., Jabalpur |
| 16 | Mushroom Cultivation Technology | Dr. Dadwal, T.F.R.I., Jabalpur |
| 17 | Parthenium Control and Awareness | Dr. Sushil Kumar, Scientis, N.R.C.W.S., Jabalpur |
| 18 | Diversity of Medicinal Plants in Satpura region of M.P. | Dr. J. L. Shrivastava, S.F.R.I., Jabalpur |
| 19 | Biodiversity & Conservation | Dr. Kailash Chandra Regional Director, Z.S.I., Jabalpur |
The Society Organizes Seminars of PG students which comprises presentation by lecture and slides on any topic related to syllabus, followed by through interaction and discussion among teachers and students. The society also organizes Quiz, Debates and other competitions to inculcate the feeling of confidence in them which helps in their overall development, so they are well informed to face the challenge of current areas of competitiveness.
The Academic society of the department also conducts local excursions and annual excursions within and outside state for the PG students of Botany & Environment Science to get them acquainted with the natural surroundings, Flora and fauna and Environmental status etc. During excursions, they also visit National Science Institute of repute, sanctuaries, historical places, hill areas, desert, rainforest and national parks in the past years. The students visited Pachmarhi and various place such as Ajmer, Mount Abu, Udaipur, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Lucknow, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Delhi, Agra etc. and various other place of interest.
Research Facilities Available in the Department
The Department offer facilities of research in different field of Botany viz. Mycology, Plant Pathology, Seed Pathology, Aerobiology, Physiology, Medicinal Ethonobotany etc.
The different areas of Environmental Science on which the research is going on are Industrial pollution, remediation of pollution to develop low cost and effective technology for pollution control, river pollution, Environment management, EIA, Bio Medical waste, Air Pollution etc. There is a well equipped separate Environmental research laboratory in the department to pursue research in different fields of Environmental Science.
The departmental laboratory is equipped with a large number of routine and advanced microscopes. Along with these other important instrument are also available in the departmental laboratory viz Spectrophotometer, BOD incubator, low temperature incubator, deep freezer, shaker, flame photometer, JENWAY [UK] Ion meter, Orion ion selective electrodes, High volume air sampler, noise level meter, Handy air sampler, DO analyzer, pH meter, Turbidity meter, Colorimeter, Distillation plant, Water analysis kit, portable water analyzer kit, MIPS etc. Department also has four sets of computer systems along with broad band facilities beside this, the college has a well equipped central equipment laboratory.
The Department has rich library and also subscribe journals of repute, the books are used by PG students, research students and staff members. There is also a student library which provides books for undergraduate student of Environmental Science and Microbiology. Total books available in the department comparing UG Books on the subjects are 4812.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, New Delhi has signed an MOU with the Environmental Research laboratory of the Department for “Air Quality Monitoring and Research” and has awarded a Major Research Project under the guidance of Dr. R. K. Shrivastava, senior faculty of Environmental Science. Two Senior Research Fellowships are also sanctioned in the project. A separate MOU has also been signed with Narmada Gelatin Factory, Jabalpur for collaborative research and project work.
Gold Medals
A number of gold medals are being awarded to meritorious students by present/ past staff members of the department in the field of Botany, Environmental Science and Microbiology every year. These gold medals are awarded during annual function of the college.
| S. No. | Name of Gold Medal | Donor | Qualification |
| 1 | Late Pt. KhayaliramAyachi Memorial | Dr. Akhilesh Ayachi and Smt. Bharti Ayachi | Highest marks in M.Sc. of Life Science faculty |
| 2 | Late Vimlendu Shrivastava and Sushila Devi Shrivastava Memorial | Dr. R. K. Shrivastava and Smt. Sangeeta Shrivastava | Highest marks in M.Sc. Environmental Science and total of B.Sc. Marks |
| 3 | Late RajkumariVallabhdas Agarwal Memorial | Dr. P. D. Agarwal & Smt. Sheel Agarwal | Highest marks in M.Sc. Botany |
| 4 | Late Malti Anand Gupta Memorial | Prof Ms. Indu Gupta | Highest marks in M.Sc. Environmental Science. |
| 5 | Smt. Laxmi Bai Pateria Memorial | Smt. Chandra Prabha Pateria | Highest marks in M.Sc. Environmental Science |
| 6 | Late Sandhya Bhattacharya Memorial | Prof. Ms. Shubhra Bhattacharya | Highest marks in B.Sc. with Botany |
| 7 | Late Harish Chandra Sharma Memorial | Dr. Smt. Archana Bajpai & Shri Anilkant Bajpai | Highest marks in B.Sc. with Microbiology |