Educational Excursion to Dehradun and Mussoorie by students of Faculty of Sciences

Students of the Faculty of Sciences accompanied by four teachers embarked on an educational excursion to Dehradun and Mussoorie to explore the region’s rich biodiversity, historical landmarks, cultural heritage and environmental significance. The trip included visits to several key locations such as Mall Road, Gunhill, Landour, Lal Tibba, Kempty Falls, Robber’s Cave, the Forest Research Institute (FRI), and Paonta Sahib. The journey was filled with learning experiences and hands-on activities, making it an enriching experience for all participants.

Principal Dr. Neeraj Goyal emphasised the importance of educational trips for experiential learning and appreciated the efforts of the faculty in organising the trip, where students gained invaluable insights into nature, science, and culture which left a lasting impact on their education and personal growth.

Students visited Mall Road in Mussoorie, experiencing the bustling market and scenic views. They also trekked to Gunhill second highest peak of Mussoorie, from where they enjoyed panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks including famous ranges such as Shrikanta, Pithwara, and Bunderpunch. The hill also offers a stunning bird’s eye view of Mussoorie town and the vast Doon Valley below. The students explored Landour on foot, known for its colonial charm and serene environment, starting the trail from the Landour Clock Tower passing through famous landmarks like author Ruskin Bond’s Residence, Char Dukan, St. Paul’s Church ultimately reaching the Lal Tibba View Point. Here also they had stunning views of the snow-clad Himalayas from the long winding roads that are lined on the sides by majestic Deodar, Rhododendron and Pine groves. At Lal Tibba, the highest point in Mussoorie, where they used a government-approved mounted telescope at a cafe named Lal Tibba Binocular Cafe to get an excellent view of the Himalayas. Students also learnt the functionalities of the telescope. At Kempty Falls situated at a height of 4500 ft on the Mussoorie -Chakrata road, students observed the natural beauty of the cascading waterfall splitting into five separate streams and learned about the impact of tourism on the local ecosystem. They also discussed sustainable tourism and ways to minimise the impact of anthropogenic activities. The students also indulged in activities like boating and adventure activities. The students explored Robber’s Cave (Guchhu pani), a 600 m long natural river cave formation consisting of an extremely narrow gorge formed in a conglomerate limestone area on Doon Valley’s Dehra plateau and studied the geological structures present. They waded through the cold waters and observed the surrounding flora and fauna. One of the highlights of the trip was the visit to the Forest Research Institute in Dehradun having a sprawling 50-acre campus. Here, students toured the various museums devoted to research and forestry. These included the Social Forestry Museum, the Timber Museum, the Silviculture Museum, the Non Wood Forestry Products Museum, the Entomology and Pathology Museums and the Ecology and Biodiversity museum, where they learned about forestry practices, biodiversity conservation, and observed samples of timber, preserved insect and plant specimens. Throughout the trip they gained insights into waste management strategies adopted by the local Nagar Palika Parishad including a visit to Material Recovery Facility and Bio methanation centre. The trip concluded with a visit to Paonta Sahib, a revered Sikh pilgrimage site. Students learned about the historical and cultural significance of the Gurudwara and its connection to Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Throughout the trip, students actively engaged in exploring and documenting the rich biodiversity of the region. They photographed various local plant and animal species, enhancing their understanding of the ecosystem. Additionally, they gained hands-on experience with telescopes, reinforcing their scientific knowledge. The visit to FRI deepened their awareness of environmental conservation and visit to the MRF Centre enhanced their knowledge of waste management practices. The excursion not only provided them with valuable knowledge about nature, science, and culture but also fostered a sense of responsibility towards environmental preservation. The trip successfully combined learning with adventure, making it an impactful experience for all participants. The tour was led by Dr. Kuldeep Kumar (Dean, Life Sciences) accompanied by Dr. Bhanvi Wadhawan (Dept. of Zoology), Dr. Kavita (Dept. of Physics) and Dr. Teena Pathak (Dept. of Biotechnology and Food Technology).

List of students