Dr Jitendra Singh dedicates to the nation first-of-its-kind 'Eco-Educational Hub'

Union Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh has called for taking the work of scientific institutions closer to society by systematically showcasing their technologies, success stories and societal applications, while dedicating to the nation, the first-of-its-kind CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) 'Eco-Educational Hub' ‘Prakriti Gyan Dham’ at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre (MPBC), Banthra, Lucknow on Sunday, August,9,2026. Dr Jitendra Singh said the outreach of scientific institutions should go beyond laboratories and institutional campuses, with greater use of digital and social media platforms to showcase successful technologies and initiatives so that farmers, entrepreneurs, students, industry and other stakeholders are able to access scientific solutions and opportunities for livelihood generation. He also called for greater integration of similar and complementary projects across Departments and Ministries, enabling institutions to work together and maximise the societal impact of scientific research and innovation.
The Eco-Educational Hub represents a convergence of scientific research, environmental education, biodiversity conservation, botanical heritage and cultural interpretation. Developed as a first-of-its-kind eco-educational facility, it has been conceived as a living repository of India’s rich botanical and cultural legacy, offering an immersive environment for students, researchers, educators, nature enthusiasts and the general public. The Hub provides a direct interface between scientific knowledge and public engagement, with its different facilities designed to make India’s plant diversity, conservation efforts and botanical heritage accessible through experiential and interactive learning. Dr Jitendra Singh said such initiatives can help strengthen the connection between scientific institutions and society while creating greater awareness of the practical value of scientific knowledge.