VGC Mandi Botanist Dr Tara Devi Sen Selected for ‘Sant Ishwar Seva Samman 2026’.
National honour recognises her contribution to Himalayan biodiversity conservation, wild food plants and women’s empowerment.
Shimla:
Dr. Tara Devi Sen, faculty member of the Department of Botany at Vallabh Government College (VGC), Mandi, has been selected for the prestigious ‘Sant Ishwar Seva Samman 2026’ in recognition of her sustained contribution to social service, environmental conservation and women’s empowerment. She will receive the honour under the ‘Women and Child Development’ category.
Dr. Sen has for several years been engaged in research and community-based initiatives related to Himalayan biodiversity, wild and local food plants, traditional botanical knowledge, and the conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources. Through her work, she has sought to build a bridge between academic research and the traditional knowledge preserved by Himalayan communities.
A significant feature of her initiatives has been the involvement of women in conservation and livelihood activities. She has worked with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Mahila Mandals and local communities, providing training in the processing, value addition and utilisation of wild food plants. Her efforts aim to transform locally available biological resources into sustainable livelihood opportunities while ensuring their responsible use and conservation.
From Botanical Research to Grassroots Action
Dr. Sen’s work extends beyond conventional botanical research. She has contributed to the documentation of a wide range of wild food and medicinal plants of Himachal Pradesh, while also focusing on the traditional knowledge associated with their uses.
By combining scientific knowledge with community practices, her initiatives have encouraged local communities to recognise the ecological and economic value of indigenous plant resources. Particular emphasis has been placed on ensuring that traditional knowledge is passed on to younger generations.
Her approach integrates biodiversity conservation, traditional knowledge, sustainable resource management and women-led livelihood development, making botanical research directly relevant to communities at the grassroots level.
Himalayan Biodiversity to Be Showcased in New Delhi
As part of the Sant Ishwar Samman ceremony scheduled to be held in New Delhi on October 2, 2026, Dr. Sen will also present a special exhibition highlighting her research and community-based initiatives.
The exhibition will feature books, photographs, pine-needle and other eco-friendly handicrafts, and material related to Himalayan biodiversity and wild food plants. The display is expected to provide a national platform for showcasing the rich botanical diversity of Himachal Pradesh and highlighting the role of local communities, especially women, in conserving and sustainably utilising natural resources.
Award Ceremony on October 2
The 2026 edition marks the 11th year of the Sant Ishwar Samman. The award ceremony will be held in New Delhi on October 2, where selected individuals and organisations working at the grassroots level will be honoured for their contributions.
The awardees are presented with a certificate of honour, trophy and shawl, along with financial support intended to encourage them to continue and expand their social initiatives.
The Sant Ishwar Samman is conferred by the Sant Ishwar Foundation in collaboration with Rashtriya Sewa Bharati. The honour seeks to recognise individuals and organisations working for rural and underserved communities in areas including education, healthcare, environmental conservation, women’s empowerment and social development.
Dr. Sen’s selection places the spotlight on the potential of Himalayan plant resources, traditional ecological knowledge and women-led community initiatives to contribute simultaneously to environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
Expressing her gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Tara Devi Sen said, “This honour belongs to everyone who has been a part of this journey and has supported this work.”
The recognition is being viewed as an acknowledgement not only of her academic and botanical work but also of the collective efforts of local communities and women who have participated in initiatives aimed at conserving the Himalayan region’s biological and cultural heritage.
