CSIR-NBRI opens “Prakriti Gyan Dham” eco-educational hub at Banthra, Lucknow
On 8 August 2026 the Union Science and Technology Minister dedicated to the nation “Prakriti Gyan Dham”, a first-of-its-kind eco-educational hub of CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre, Banthra, Lucknow. It has a heritage tree garden, gardens of threatened plants and State plants, and a Bamboosteum with 43 bamboo species.
- Date
- 8 Aug 2026
- Institute
- CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow
- Site
- Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre, Banthra
- Name
- Prakriti Gyan Dham (Eco-Educational Hub)
- Bamboosteum
- 43 bamboo species
- Trail
- PAaVan Path
Prakriti Gyan Dham at Banthra: what happened?
NBRI is a plant science lab in Lucknow. Its new hub at Banthra is meant to bring students and the public close to India’s plant diversity, and to show farmers and entrepreneurs what its research can do.
- Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh dedicated CSIR-NBRI’s Eco-Educational Hub “Prakriti Gyan Dham” at the Maharishi Parashar Bioresource Centre, Banthra, Lucknow [PIB].
- He asked science institutions to show their technologies to farmers, entrepreneurs and students and to link research with livelihoods [PIB].
What is inside the hub?
- PAaVan Path (Plants and Associated Vegetations for Appreciating Nature): an interpretive heritage trail.
- Indian Heritage Garden: trees grown from historic sites, such as the Bawan Imli tamarind of Fatehpur (linked to the sacrifice of 52 freedom fighters), the Mother Dussehri mango of Lucknow and the Patalpuri banyan of Prayagraj; QR audio guides.
- Vibhav Enclave: threatened plants of India.
- Bhairav Enclave: State plants of States and UTs.
- Four plant-based products were transferred to Kudumbashree, Kerala, for women-led enterprise.
What can Prelims ask on Prakriti Gyan Dham at Banthra?
- CSIR-NBRI is in Lucknow.
- Bawan Imli: Fatehpur, linked to 52 freedom fighters.
- Mother Dussehri mango tree: Lucknow.
- Patalpuri banyan: Prayagraj.
Read all of August 2026 in the monthly UP current affairs compilation →
How to use this in Mains
- Cite Prakriti Gyan Dham as a lab-to-society example from Lucknow.
- Useful in answers on biodiversity education or the role of research bodies in rural livelihoods.
Quotable data pointEco-Educational Hub dedicated at Banthra, Lucknow, on 8 August 2026 [PIB].
PIB: CSIR-NBRI Eco-Educational Hub at Lucknow
Exam angle
UP heritage trees are good one-liners: Bawan Imli (Fatehpur), Mother Dussehri mango (Lucknow), Patalpuri banyan (Prayagraj).
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
The Bawan Imli, linked to the sacrifice of 52 freedom fighters, is in which UP district?
Answer (a) & explanation
PIB, 8 Aug 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is Prakriti Gyan Dham?
CSIR-NBRI's eco-educational hub at Banthra, Lucknow, opened on 8 August 2026.
What is the Bawan Imli?
A tamarind tree in Fatehpur linked to the sacrifice of 52 freedom fighters; a sapling grows in the hub's heritage garden.
How many bamboo species are in the Bamboosteum?
43, both indigenous and exotic.
Keep studying
Official source: PIB: CSIR-NBRI Eco-Educational Hub at Lucknow
facts from cited sources only; numbers machine-checked against source text; faculty review pending