Al202xis0 at 07:55, 29 April 2026

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{{Short description|Indian botanist and academic administrator}}
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{{Infobox scientist
| name = Dinabandhu Sahoo
| image = Dinabandhu_Sahoo_2026.jpg
| caption =
| fields = Botany, marine biology, sustainable development
| workplaces = University of Delhi
| alma_mater =
| known_for = Seaweed research, Blue Revolution concept in India, sustainable development initiatives, Carbon Garden, Cherry Blossom Festival in India
| awards = Top Sustainability Laureate Award (2023), Distinguished Leadership Honour (2026)
| honors = D.Sc. (Honoris Causa), FNASc, FNAAS, FBRS
}}

'''Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo''' is an Indian botanist, scientist, environmentalist, and academic administrator. He is the Chairperson of the Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council and the Head of the Department of Botany at the [[University of Delhi]]. He is widely known for his work in marine bioresources, sustainable development, the introduction of the Cherry Blossom Festival in India, and the grassroots application of science and technology in coastal and rural India.<ref name="glimpse">{{cite web |url=https://botany.du.ac.in/botany/userfiles/downloads/Prof.%20Dinabandhu%20Sahoo.pdf |title=Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo - A Glimpse |website=Department of Botany, University of Delhi |format=PDF}}</ref><ref name="janta2026">{{cite news |url=https://jantaserishta.com/local/odisha/cherry-blossom-founder-deenbandhu-sahu-honoured-with-times-foundations-distinguished-leadership-honour-4600895 |title=Cherry blossom founder Deenbandhu Sahu honoured with Times Foundation's distinguished leadership honour |work=Janta Serishta |date=2026}}</ref>

He is an elected Fellow of multiple Indian science academies, including the [[National Academy of Sciences, India]] (FNASc) and the [[National Academy of Agricultural Sciences]] (FNAAS).<ref name="glimpse" />

== Early life and expeditions ==
Sahoo was part of the 7th Indian Scientific Expedition to [[Antarctica]] in 1987 and holds the distinction of being the first Indian student to visit the continent. During the expedition, he hoisted the Indian flag and contributed to the foundational work for India’s permanent research station, ''[[Maitri (research station)|Maitri]]''.<ref name="glimpse" /><ref name="janta2026" />

By the age of 27, he had travelled across all seven continents and five oceans within a record time of 18 months. Subsequently, he undertook two scientific expeditions to the [[Arctic]].<ref name="glimpse" />

== Academic and administrative career ==
Sahoo has held several key academic and administrative roles, primarily at the University of Delhi, including:
* Chairperson, Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Council<ref name="janta2026" />
* Head, Department of Botany<ref name="janta2026" />
* Founder Director, Centre for Himalayan Studies
* Director, Cluster Innovation Centre

He also served as the Vice Chancellor of [[Fakir Mohan University]], Odisha.

At the national level, he served as the Director of the [[Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development]] (IBSD), [[Department of Biotechnology]], Government of India (2014–2019), overseeing biodiversity conservation and bioresources management in the northeastern region of India.<ref name="sangai2024">{{cite news |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2024/1/16/IMPHAL-Jan-15Professor-Dinabandhu-Sahoo-from-University-of-Delhi-also-known-as-the-founder-of-Cherry-Bloss.html |title=Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo from University of Delhi also known as the founder of Cherry Blossom receives Top Sustainability Laureate Award |work=The Sangai Express |date=16 January 2024}}</ref> Sahoo has additionally held adjunct academic positions at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology and the Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar.

== Government advisory roles ==
He has served in advisory capacities to several Indian state governments, including:
* Scientific Adviser to the Chief Minister of [[Meghalaya]] (2019–2024)
* Adviser on Higher Education and Research, Government of [[Manipur]]
* Adviser on Climate Change, Government of Manipur

On 19 August 2015, he was part of a scientific delegation that presented on the sustainable development of Northeast India before the [[Prime Minister of India|Prime Minister]].<ref name="glimpse" />

== Scientific contributions ==
Sahoo is recognized for promoting the application of science and technology at the grassroots level, particularly in coastal and rural communities. Actively involved in seaweed cultivation and utilization, he trained villagers in coastal states, a movement often referred to as a “Blue Revolution” in India.<ref name="glimpse" />

His inspirational journey and societal impact, titled ''Teach a Man to Fish'', was featured in the best-selling book ''I Have a Dream'', which has been translated into several Indian languages.<ref name="glimpse" />

== Public initiatives ==
=== Cherry Blossom Festival and Biodiversity ===
Sahoo is widely known as the "Cherry Blossom Man of India" for conceptualizing and organizing India’s first Cherry Blossom Festival in [[Shillong]] starting in 2016.<ref name="glimpse" /><ref name="janta2026" /> His efforts sparked a movement in the North East Himalayas that led to the planting of approximately 60,000 cherry blossom trees across the northeastern states. This initiative aimed to inspire environmental protection in fragile ecosystems, alongside boosting local economies and tourism.<ref name="sangai2024" /><ref name="janta2026" /> He was also instrumental in establishing a state-of-the-art orchidarium in Shillong.<ref name="glimpse" />

=== Carbon Garden ===
At the University of Delhi, Sahoo developed India’s first "Carbon Garden", an urban ecosystem model designed as a scalable, scientific response to toxic air pollution and declining soil quality. Occupying a compact 2,000 square feet, the garden features 45 to 50 perennial plant species, including hydrophytes and xerophytes, as well as a Kadamba tree airlifted from Bhubaneswar.<ref name="indiatoday2026">{{cite news |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/news/story/indias-first-carbon-garden-built-at-du-how-it-cleans-air-and-restores-soil-2866495-2026-02-11 |title=India's first Carbon Garden built at DU: How it cleans air and restores soil |work=India Today |date=11 February 2026}}</ref><ref name="toi2026">{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/dus-carbon-garden-offers-new-weapon-against-toxic-air/articleshow/129808068.cms |title=DU's Carbon Garden offers new weapon against toxic air |work=The Times of India |date=25 March 2026}}</ref>

Unlike traditional parks, the Carbon Garden functions as a self-sustaining natural filtration system year-round. It relies on microorganisms like algae, fungi, and bacteria living on plant surfaces to actively break down toxic gases such as methane and carbon monoxide.<ref name="indiatoday2026" /><ref name="toi2026" /> The model has been promoted at a national conference as a blueprint for creating "mini biodiversity parks" in densely populated, land-starved cities to mitigate health risks and serve as ecological fencing.<ref name="indiatoday2026" /><ref name="toi2026" />

Sahoo has delivered public talks on global warming and sustainability, including a [[TED (conference)|TEDx]] talk at IIM Shillong and a presentation at the National Assembly of South Korea.<ref name="glimpse" />

== Publications, awards, and honours ==
Sahoo has authored 13 books and published multiple research papers in botany and sustainability.<ref name="glimpse" /> For his contributions to applied science and technology, he was conferred with an honorary [[Doctor of Science]] (D.Sc.).<ref name="glimpse" />

His major recent awards include:
* '''Top Sustainability Laureate Award (2023):''' Presented by India Green Awards in Udaipur, for his work in sustainable development, climate change, and bioresources management.<ref name="sangai2024" />
* '''Distinguished Leadership Honour (2026):''' Conferred by the Times Foundation at the Times of India National CSR Summit in New Delhi, recognizing his outstanding impact and innovation in driving inclusive social change.<ref name="janta2026" />

=== Eponyms ===
In recognition of his extensive scientific contributions, several taxa have been named in his honour:
* ''Prunus dinabandhuana'' (a cherry blossom species)<ref name="janta2026" /><ref name="sangai2024" />
* ''Caulokaempferia dinabandhuensis'' (a new ginger species)<ref name="janta2026" /><ref name="glimpse" />
* ''Papilionanda Dinabandhu Sahoo'' (an orchid hybrid registered in the United Kingdom)<ref name="glimpse" />

== International engagement ==
Sahoo has engaged heavily in international academic and scientific collaborations, visiting as many as 38 countries and presenting or collaborating at over 80 institutions globally. His travels have spanned Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas.<ref name="glimpse" />

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sahoo, Dinabandhu}}
[[Category:Indian botanists]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Delhi University]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Dinabandhu Sahoo - Revision history

Al202xis0 at 07:55, 29 April 2026