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CSIR-IHBT

About us:

CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), perched in the lap of majesticsnowcladmountains ofDhauladhar range in the western Himalaya, has a history that dates back to 1960s, when District Kangra was still a part of the State of Punjab. The state Government considered to set up the National Biological Research Institute (NBRI) at Palampur, as a constituent establishment of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an autonomous society under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India.
In January 1966, a notification was issued by the Medical and Health Department of the Government of Punjab to initiate the process of acquiring land measuring about 12396 karnals for the purpose from the Holta Tea Estate at Palampur. The process of land transfer took some more time and with a turn of events followed with reorganization of the state of Punjab in September 1966 that led to merger of District Kangra with state of HP, and the issue of setting up of NBRI at Palampur lost priority, at least for some more time to come. With the passage of time, the HP Government allocated partof the total land earmark for creation of NBRI, to other establishments. Consequently, a smaller piece of land was left at Banuri and Holta, for the purpose for which it was acquired initially. By 1970s, CSIR marked its presence in the state of HP when Regional Research Laboratory (RRL) Jammu set up its Extension Centre in a rented building at the Bundla Tea Estate at Palampur. The idea of setting up of an independent CSIR laboratory atPalampur picked up momentum once again. An area 186.2 acres of land lying vacant, that figured in the name of NBRI, was put in possession of RRL, Jammu, for the purpose of establishing the proposed research institute at Palampur.
Finally, the foundation stone of CSIR Complex Palampur was laid on July 2, 1983 by the Vice­ President of CSIR and Minister of Science and Technology, Government of India, Prof. Nurul Hasan, in presence of the then Chief Minister of HP Sh. Virbhadra Singh, DG CSIR, Dr. G.S. Sidhu and other dignitaries. Further, to catalyze the economy of the high mountains through technological interventions, a Centre for High Altitude Biology (CeHAB) was established at Ribling (3450 m amsl, near Keylong), district Lahaul & Spiti, (HP) in October 2011.
The institute is involved in harnessing and sustainable utilization of Himalayan bioresources through multifaceted state-of-the-art facilities for basic as well as translational research to develop end-to-end processes and products. The institute has a strong patent portfolio based on cutting edge science and vast experience of successful commercialization of technologies for propelling industrial growth. The institute has provencredentials in boosting economy through empowerment and enhancing livelihood of tribal and other communities of high altitude areas through floriculture, cultivation of medicinal & aromatic plants and processing of local resources forvalue addition.


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