Surya Kunj
The Nature Interpretation & Learning Centre (NILC)

Established in 1992.
GBPNIHE initaited the establishment of a functional Arboretum "Surya Kunj" in 1992 at the institute Head Quarters. Initially the area was under highly degraded grazing land interspersed with Pine trees and shrubs.Subsequently, through various rehabilitation mechanisms 'Surya Kunj' has now emerged as "Nature Interpretation and Learning Centre" of the institute.The emergence of 'Surya-Kunj' as a nature contemlation hub is attributed to the rich plant diversity, that subsequently has attracted the faunal elements, especially the three B's i.e Birds, Butterflies and Bees to flourish the asthetic and Biodiversity value of the Centre.

Interesting Facts
The name "Surya-Kunj" is based on historically important Sun Temple (Surya Mandir) of Katarmal. Located nearly 1 Km above the institute. .

Interesting Facts
Constructed in 9th century by Katyuri King "Katarmalla"

Interesting Facts
This is probably be the only other temple after Konark (Odhisha) dedicated to Sun God.

Interesting Facts
44 smaller temples around the main deity of Surya which called as Burhadita or Vraddhaditya.

Major Objectives
-
-
ENSURE ex situ maintainence of representative sub
tropical and temperate rare, endemic, threatned and economically
important plant species.
-
PROVIDE adequate facilities (research backup &
infrastructure) for plantation and accilimatization of
species of conservation importance . -
-
-
PROMOTE availability of base material of important
species to facilitate the morphogenetic variability study,
propogation, hybridization and genetic improvement.
-
DEVELOP specific protocol for recovery / reintroduction
of highly threatned species
in the field conditions. -
-
-
MEET the growing demand of planting material of
important species quality by
different stakeholders.
-
SERVE as a center for on-site training and
extension programmes for various
stakeholders groups and also as a center for
nature interpretation and learning. -
-
-
ESTABLISH a user friendly electronic database
on identification of Himalayan
endemic/ threatned plants, life strategies,
use and conservation values etc.
-
EXCHANGE relation with other ex-situ
conservation centres in the region, country
or elsewhere in the world. -
Facilities
Nature Interpretation & Learning Centre
Facility to stay and teaching 20-25 participitants while on exposure visit to the Institute
ARBORETUM
Assemble of over 100 woody plant species.
HERBAL GARDEN
Plants with Medicinal importance are grown for demonstration

Nature Interpretation Spots
Facilities to sit and interact inside bamboo huts at different location.

Regional Analyatical Lab.
Quality assessment of medicinal and aromatic plants.

Herbarium Chamber & Seed Bank
Houses plant specimens collections donated by amateur botanists, researchers, and traditional crop seeds collected by students of rural areas.
Biodiversity @ Surya Kunj
Floral Diversity
Surya Kunj Nursery's Plant List with Pricing
Over 100 woody species
Expanded nearly in 2.5 hectare area
More than 90 species of medicinal value plants
DetailsRich diversity of Ferns with more than 20 species.
Faunal Diversity
Attracts more than 160 birds of different families year-round
Holds > 100 species of butterflies belonging to 6 different families
Nymphalids are the most dominant with more than 50 species.
Rich diversity of Ferns with more than 20 species.
Activities @ Surya Kunj
Director General, ICFRE and Director, FRI visit
Shri Suresh Gairola (Director General, ICFRE) and Shri Arun Singh Rawat,IFS (Director at FRI) visited Surya Kunj during his visit to HQ, GBPNIHE for signing of MoU between "ICFRE & GBPNIHE" for Collaborative Research on 19 Oct 2019
Additional Secretary, MoEFCC Visit
Shri Ravi Agrawal, Additional Secretary, MoEFCC interaction with researchers at Surya Kunj during his visit at HQ, GBPNIHE on 13th-14th Oct 2019
Harela Celebration-2019
Harela Celebration- Plantation activity at Nature Interpretation & Leraning Centre (NILC) & Surya Kunj, GBPNIHE on 17 July 2019
Certificate course on Green Skill Building Programme
Visit of Experts & Participitants during Certificate course on Green Skill Building Programme on “Forest Resources and Plant Biodiversity” organized by Task Force 3, National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem, GBPNIHE, Almora at Surya Kunj
Nature Camp 2019
GBPNIHE oraganised "Nature Camp" of 3 days at NILC & Surya Kunj for the childrens to provide them close exposure to nature and its importance
Harela Festival -2018
Celebration of Harela Festival and Plantation of various wild edible spicies at Surya-Kunj on 16 July 2018