PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital
To conserve Rhododendron- Uttarakhand’s state tree and raise awareness on Himalayan biodiversity, Uttarakhand Forest department organised Rhododendron Festival-2026 at Forest Research Range Gaja (Jyolikot). At the beginning of the programme, the head of the department of Forestry and Environmental Sciences at Kumaun University, Professor Ashish Tiwari appreciated the initiative of the Forest department, stating that it would help students gain a closer understanding of the Himalayan biodiversity and importance of rhododendron conservation.
Approximately 50 students and 10 professors from the Forestry department participated in 5-km nature walk, which began from the DSB campus of KU, Nainital, and ended at Tiffin Top (Dorothy’s Seat). Students were introduced to the scientific methods of cultivation and conservation of rhododendron.
Additionally, they were given bird watching lessons, and the interrelationship of birds with flora was discussed in detail. Notably, the entire 5-km trekking route was primarily dominated by oak, rhododendron, and padam trees. Along with these prominent trees, other important flora and medicinal plant species, including kilmora, as well as various ferns, bamboo and pine species, were also identified in detail.
