Department of Botany : Morigaon College

Introduction

Morigaon college was established in the year 1964 initially with only arts stream.  The science stream was introduced in the year 1985, with the Departments- Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology and Mathematics and came under deficit grant system on 11/01/1996 by the efforts of all the respected pioneers. The Depatment of Botany is located in the 1st Floor of the Science Block above the Depatment of Physics  and is one of the richest department of Morigaon College, in terms of library books, classroom and lab infrastructure. The department is enriched with learning resources such as charts, posters, models, herbarium which help the students in independent learning. The department also has a museum with a herbarium cabinet, a green house, a herbal garden, a horticultural garden and a fully functional vermicompost producing unit. Computers, LCD projectors and smart panels are available for effective delivery of subject matter through audio visual mode.&a

History

 

The Department of Botany was started with 2nos. of faculty members- Mr. Krishna Medhi and Mr. Jagat Ch. Saikia. The Major Syllabus was introduced in the year 1997 and the course was started with one room for theory and one for practical classes. The semester system was introduced in the department during 2009 and later CBCS was introduced in 2019. Since 1997 until now i.e., 2022, all together total 22 no. of batches of major/honors students have passed out from the department with flying colours. A Herbal garden and a Horticulture garden was raised during 2020 and currently housing various types of medicinal plants and fruit plants. A vermicomposting unit was developed in 2022 to produce organic manure and togetherly build awareness among students and faculty members.

Aim

 

To establish a Centre for imparting knowledge, enhancing skills and cultivating attitudes among the students, in order to achieve academic and human excellence.

Motto

GO GREEN

Vision

To explore plant world, generate knowledge and produce human resources in Plant Science.

Mision

To impart student centric quality education in Plant Science.

Objective

  • To impart a value-based education and to provide instructions, teaching and to maintain academic discipline.
  • To create higher levels of intellectual and innovative abilities.
  • To provide meaningful learning opportunities to students.
  • To maintain transperancy and to avoid partial discrimination among the students.
  • To award degrees and certificates on the basis of examination and evaluation.
  • To maintains standards of the degrees in accordance with the norms laid down by UGC.

Courses Offered

Higher Secondary Botany

B.Sc Botany (Honours & Generic)

Certificate courses offered by the Department of Botany:-

  1. Sessio 2018-2019:  i) Bonsai Techniques
  2. Session 2019-2020: i) Mushroom Cultivation
  3. Session 2021-2022: i) Horticulture ii) Introduction to Vermicompost
  4. Session 2022-2023: i) Development and Mangement of Ornamental Plants
  5. Session 2023-2024: i) Vermicompost (Batch II) ii) Tea cultivat

Resources of the Department

  • Staff room-01
  • Class room- 04
  • Laboratory- 02
  • Computers -03
  • LCD Projector- 01
  • Smart Panel Board- 01
  • Museum- 01
  • Green House- 01
  • Talking Medicinal Garden-01
  • Vermicompost production unit- 01
  • Horticulture garden- 01

 

Strength

  • Audio-Visual Classroom
  • Departmental Library Stock of more than 500 books.
  • Herbarium Cabinet and Botanical Museum.
  • Green House 
  • Talking Medicinal Garden
  • Vermicompost Facility
  • Floral diversity register
  • Horticulture garden
  • Awareness practices against health and environmental hazards
  • Provision for transition of curriculum from static to dynamic on selected topic through activity based works.
  • Provision for special attention to timid and slow learners
  • Departmental Youtube Channel- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfulH9wIIVI4KwIifjMNN6g

 

Weakness

  • Lack of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory
  • Lack of Infrastructure and facilties for carrying out highly sophisticated laboratory work.

Opportunities

 

Students after completion of the degree course can opt for Master Degree Programme in Botany, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Life Science ,Environmental Science and can join various internship programme at WWF, Aaranyak etc. They can also join in the State Forest Service as well as Indian Forest Service after clearing APSC and UPSC, which having Botany as a subject will provide them  the oppurtunities in the field. Besides the students can also join Central Rubber Board of India, Tea Board of India,ICAR, NBRI and various agencies.

Challenges

  • To provide career opportunity to the sudents of the department.
  • Current semester schedule is a challenge for fulfilling the field aspects.

Activities of the Department

 

The Department carries out botanical excursions and field trips in the view to familiarise students with wild plant diversity, forest ecosystems, and natural habitats and to inculcate research knowledge. The department organizes different activities such as webinars, seminars, workshops, group discussions, tree plantation drives and awareness programmes in the department as well as in nearby communities. Students are also asked to make models, collect herbarium, museum specimens etc.

Awards of the Department

  • 2018 Kanika Deka an alumnus of the department won Gold medal at the district Level Karate Competition, Morigaon, organised by Karate Association of Assam recognised by All Assam Olympic Association, 2022.
  • Luna Bora alumni of the department won the "BIHU KONWARI" title at the Morigaon District Level Bihu Competition.
  • Kaushik Kr. Nath a 6th semester student won 3rd Prize at the college level art competition on the ocassion of world water day,2023
  • Chaya Rani Melang alumni of the department won the title "Best Singer" of college at Morigaon College Youth Fest-2022.

Publication of the Department

  • Annual Magazine- ARANYA (1st Edition-2016-2017, 2nd Edition-2017-2018, 3rd Edition-2022-2023)
  • Wall Magazine- BIRINA consisting of following themes
    • 2018-19-Ozone Layer Depletion
    • 2019-20-New Born Corona Virus and Its Effect
    • 2020-21-Herbarium of Selected Medicinal Plants
    • 2021-22-Biodiversity Hotspots in India
    • 2022-23-The Incredible Fungi
    • 2023-24- Ancient Indian Medical system

Achievements of the Department

  • 100% pass percentage in the last 5 consecutive years. 
  • Development of a Horticultural garden and production of organic fruits and vegetables.
  • Production and marketing of Vermicompost.
  • Selection of honour student Miss. Geetika Borah for participation in Y20 event at IIT Guwahati representing Morigaon District. 
  • Miss. Luna Bora alumni of the department appointed as a master trainer for Bihu performance event to be held for selection at the Guiness Book of World Record to be held in April, 2023.
  • Mr. Pritul Kashyap alumni of the department secured a gold medal (1st Class First) in M.Sc Biotechnology at Sri Dev Suman Uttarakhand Vishwavidhyalaya, 2022
  • Miss Luishma Bordoloi alumni have appointed as Assistant Professor, Dept. of Botany, Biswanath College, Assam.

Future Plan of the Department

  • To establish a Plant Biotechnology Laboratory.
  • To start a Post-Graduate Course in Botany.

Best Practices

  • To inculcate the practices of organic farming (vermicomposting and Azolla cutivation) in local horticultural gardens of Morigaon.