KU team shines at National Botany Fest- 2025

Srinagar, Feb 14: The University of Kashmir (KU) represented the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir at the prestigious National Botany Fest 2025, held from January 19 to 22 at the Valley of Flowers, Ekta Nagar, Gujarat.

The event, jointly organized by the Valley of Flowers Society and the Department of Botany, Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), Baroda, brought together leading botanists, researchers, and students from across India to celebrate plant sciences, environmental conservation, and sustainable practices.

A major highlight of the fest was the KU team’s outstanding performance in the competition, where they won the prestigious award.

The teams innovative use of wild plants to craft unique culinary delights was highly appreciated by the judges and fellow participants.

Vice Chancellor KU, Prof. Nilofer Khan, congratulated the team for its remarkable achievement, praising the students dedication and scientific curiosity. “National-level events like these provide students with an invaluable opportunity to explore innovative ideas, collaborate with experts, and gain hands-on experience in their field. Their participation and success reflect the university’s commitment to academic excellence and scientific advancement,” she said.

Prof. Khan also expressed her appreciation to the organizers for promoting unity and communal harmony through plant-based activities and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting scientific research, innovation, and student participation in national platforms.

A group of PG students (3rd semester) from the Department of Botany KU, led by Dr. Latif Ahmad Peer (Associate Professor) under the guidance of Prof. Aijaz Ahmad Wani (Head, Department of Botany), actively participated in various scientific and creative competitions at the fest.

The students from KU- Sadaf, Maqsood, Ubaid, Saima, and Insha- showcased their knowledge, creativity, and teamwork in events like flora-fauna fusion, natural painting, plant-animal interaction, and reality vs expectations.