CSIR-IHBT
CSIR-INSTITUTE OF HIMALAYAN BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) is situated at Palampur (HP) in the lap of western Himalayas with a vision “to be a global leader on technologies for boosting bioeconomy through sustainable utilization of Himalayan bioresources”.
The institute has a mission “to discover, innovate, develop and disseminate the processes, products and technologies from Himalayan bioresources for society, industry, environment and academia”
Accordingly, the institute has a mandate to to carry out basic as well as translation research around Himalayan plants including plants of industrial and commercial importance such as medicinal, aromatic, floriculture, spice, sweetener plants etc for developing diversified technologies (agro-technology, bio-technology, chemical technology, dietetics & nutrition technology, and environmental technology) through multifaceted state-of-the-art facilities.
Current Focus Areas:
- Agrotechnology: Standardization of agro-technological practices, development of improved varieties and delivery of characterized planting material to the end users of medicinal, aromatic, floriculture and other commercially important crops / industrial plants.
- Biotechnology: Genomic, proteomic, metabolomics, bioinformatics, transgenics, nanotechnology, tissue culture and microbial interventions for characterization, prospection, conservation and sustainable utilization of Himalayan bioresources.
- Chemical Technology: Fundamental and translational research for development of natural products, aroma technology, chemical and herbal processing, nanocomposite, biomass conversions and analytical services
- Dietetics and Nutrition Technology: Development of valued added food and nutraceutical products from plants and algae, regulatory research, discovery of lead molecules and quality evaluation with internationally acceptable standards
- Environmental Technology: Survey, mapping including taxonomy and herbarium, digitization, and conserving Himalayan bioresources vis-a-visunderstanding plant strategies and functions for its sustainable utilization,
Various technologies are disseminated through techno-commercial negotiations, business contracts, IP management, and liaising with entrepreneurs and startups for technology transfer which are carries out through Business Development & Marketing Unit of the institute.
The institute has significantly contributed in strategic research areas, such as cataloguing and analysis of bio-diversity of the region through modern research techniques, and understanding the biological, chemical, metabolic and molecular basis for conservation and sustainable utilization of Himalayan bioresources for food and health, and preparedness for climate change. It has proven credentials in boosting rural economy through empowerment and livelihood enhancement of communities including women and tribals of remote high altitude areas through commercial activities in the areas of floriculture, medicinal & aromatic crops, food, and processing of local bio-resources for value additions.
Institute fosters student-scientist interaction and school children are welcome to visit the Institute. Post graduate students can do project and sharpen their research skills at CSIR-IHBT. Young researchers are welcome to do Ph.D in cutting edge areas under the able guidance of expert faculty.
