Major Achievements

Biotechnology, as an emerging area, has immense potential to improve the lives of people -- specially the socially and economically disadvantaged sections of the society. The Department of Biotechnology has recognized its importance and has dedicated organizations working at grass-root levels in various resource based, village based and rural based activities. These organizations have made substantial contribution to the community in various aspects of healthcare and hygiene, providing avenues for livelihoods and empowering people. This year (2017), the Department has recognized the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO), Dehradun, Uttarakhand, for their pioneering work on creating livelihood options for rural community in the Himalayan region. Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization, i.e., HESCO is based out of Shuklapur village near Dehradun in Uttarakhand. It is an NGO working since 1979 and focusing on economic and developmental needs of the community. It is working towards encouraging society to tap local bio-resources for self-reliance. For the last 37 years, HESCO has been applying knowledge of the environmental and bio-sciences and propagating simple technologies to bring consistent development to the rural villages of the Himalayas. The mission of HESCO is to promote innovative and ecologically-sound solutions in the Himalayan region for sustainable utilization of local bio-resources and ultimately help the community development through their sustainable livelihood.