Nineteen BSc Botany students from the Institute of Undergraduate Studies (IUGS) at Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) recently concluded an intensive five-day field trip to Meghalaya. Running from March 25 to March 29, the excursion provided students with a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between classroom theory and the practical realities of plant taxonomy and ecological conservation. Under the guidance of IUGS Director Prof. SK Patnaik and led by teaching assistants Dr. Hage Asha, Dr. Hage Yakang, and Dr. Jenima Basumatary, the group visited the Botanical Survey of India’s (BSI) Eastern Regional Centre in Shillong.
A highlight of the visit was a technical session conducted by Dr. Harekrushna Swain, a senior preservation assistant. Students were trained in professional herbarium techniques, including the collection, preservation, mounting, and documentation of plant specimens. The tour of the BSI’s herbarium and orchidarium offered firsthand exposure to regional flora, capped off by an interactive session with BSI Head Dr. Nripemo Odyuo on the importance of curated botanical records. The trip extended beyond the laboratory into Meghalaya’s diverse natural landscapes. At Dawki, near the India-Bangladesh border, the students analyzed the riverine ecosystem of the Umngot River. They observed its famous oligotrophic waters—exceptionally clear and low in nutrients—which serve as a benchmark for low-pollution aquatic environments.
The group also traveled to Mawlynnong, celebrated as Asia’s cleanest village. Here, the focus shifted to “community-led conservation.” The students witnessed how local traditions and collective responsibility create sustainable models for resource management, proving that environmental quality is often a result of social cooperation. The expedition concluded with a visit to the iconic ‘living root bridge’ in Riwai. This site served as a practical lesson in bioengineering and nature-based solutions, illustrating the ancient, harmonious relationship between human communities and their ecological surroundings.
According to a university release, the trip successfully reinforced core concepts of plant systematics and ecology. By engaging directly with traditional ecological knowledge and modern scientific practices, the students returned with a broader perspective on the biodiversity of the Northeast.
