The Department of Botany began functioning in this college right from 1964 when the college started. During the period from 1964 to 1970, the department worked mainly in tutoring and orienting students in the scientific study of plant life in tune with the requirements of the pre-degree course of the University of Kerala prevalent at the time. During this period, the faculty was composed of eminent teachers such as Prof. V.M. Anujan, Prof. Wilson Nadar, Dr. T.K Balachandran, Prof. M.S. Prasanna, Prof. G. Sasidharan, Dr. M.V. Nataraja Panikkar (Eminent Algologist), Prof. V. Santharam, Prof. V. Vasu Pillai, and Prof. K R Krishnan.

The degree program was started in 1970. At that time, the department functioned under the eminent guidance of Prof. N Sathyadevan. The program consisted of a course of study, instructions, and laboratory work spread over three years that led to the award of a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Kerala. One of the early degree programs in Science available for students from rural and backward areas of the state, this served as a great opening to the students of the unprivileged sections of society.

The education imparted here has been seen to have directly seeped into the society at large and positively changed it in manifold ways. This is what made the life in the surrounding area a fast-changing phenomenon over the last 58 years.

The successful academic profile of the department was reflected in the commendable performance of the students appearing for the University examinations. The percentage of results ranged from 90-100 during the period.

Among prominent teachers who served the department of Botany are Dr. Swapna T S, former head of the University department and Prof. Dr. G M Nair, an eminent Biotechnologist and former Director of TBGRI who is currently serving as the President of Kerala Academy of Sciences.

Many of our students have been placed in government services and private firms. We have a good list of higher education progression after PG and UG courses.

Aims and Objectives:

Introductory Botany is the backbone of applied areas like different medical disciplines viz Allopathy, Homoeopathy, Ayurveda, Sidha, Unani, Nature healing, etc. The basic aspects of human life like the food we consume, our clothing, paper, latex, agriculture, horticulture, plant breeding etc are directly related to plants. Therefore, any improvement in these areas through scientific research requires an in-depth knowledge in basic Botany which is being taught in Degree and PG courses of Botany.

Moreover, keeping in view the fact that global research follows a multidisciplinary approach, interdisciplinary subjects are incorporated in the relevant area within sub-disciplines of the basic botany syllabus.

Major facilities

Tissue Culture Laboratory:

The Department has a Tissue Culture Lab. Apart from catering to the requirements of conventional academic activities, the department of Botany has far-reaching plans of extending itself to the community beyond the four walls of the institution. The program at hand envisages providing tissue culture saplings to the public.

Medicinal Plants Conservatory (MPC):

Another commendable adjunct of the department is a well-maintained garden of medicinal trees. The fresh green glow of many of the rare medicinal trees, which symbolizes the promises they hold for mankind’s happy existence on this planet, voices beautifully the sanguine aspirations and expectations of this academic unit.

Presently, there are about 100 medicinal plants grown in conservatories with well-labeled display boards.

Herbarium:

The herbarium specimens are collected from different parts of Kerala and are thoroughly documented and arranged in accordance with Bentham and Hooker System of Classification. Presently, 780 specimens under 70 families and 265 genera belonging to 332 species are recognized, documented, and classified.

Certificate courses:

We have been offering a certificate course on Environmental Disaster Mitigation from 2019 onwards in order to manage environmental disasters like floods, landslides, etc., Certificates have been issued to the successful participants.