Camorabug at 03:43, 21 February 2026

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{{Short description|Headquarters of university in Bangalore}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2018}}{{Infobox university
| name = Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra, Bengaluru
| other_name = GKVK, Bengaluru
| image = GKVK.jpg
| dean = Dr. N. B. Prakash
| city = [[Bengaluru]]
| state = [[Karnataka]]
| postalcode = 560065
| students =
| type = [[Public university|Public]] [[research university]]
| country = India
| campus = [[Urban areas|Urban]]
| campus_size = {{Convert|412|acre}}
| affiliations = [[University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru]]
| website = {{URL|https://www.uasbangalore.edu.in}}
}}
'''Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra''' ('''GKVK''') is the main campus of the [[University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru]]. It is located in [[Bengaluru]] Suburb [[Yelahanka]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]].<ref>https://www.karnataka.gov.in/kbb/english/Pages/Gandhi-Krushi-Vignana-Kendra-(GKVK).aspx Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra as shown on Karnataka government website</ref> In the past the university had a campus at Hebbal and experimental fields where the current Hebbal flyover stands.The university was split into two universities to deal with the animal sciences and agricultural sciences. The colleges within the campus were originally of agriculture, horticulture, forestry sericulture, and with a basic sciences and humanities block. These were reorganized leaving only the college of agriculture on the campus.

== History ==
[[File:Coleman Bangalore entomologists.jpg|left|thumb|[[Leslie Coleman|Leslie Charles Coleman]] with staff and students of the Department of Entomology at UAS Bangalore in 1953/54.]]
[[Maharani Kempa Nanjammani Vani Vilasa Sannidhana|Maharani Kempa Nanjammanni Vani Vilasa Sannidhi]], the Regent of [[Mysore]], donated 30 acres of land in 1899 for the Experimental Agricultural Station at [[Hebbal, Bangalore|Hebbal]]. [[Adolf Lehmann]], a Canadian scientist, initiated research on soil crop response. In 1906, [[Leslie Coleman|Dr. Leslie Coleman]], a Canadian [[Entomologist]] and [[Mycologist]], succeeded Lehmann.

The station expanded to 202 acres, under the Diwan [[M Vishweshwaraiah|M. Vishveshwaraiah]], and Coleman who helped establish the Mysore Agriculture School in 1913. In 1946, Mr. M.A. Srinivasan, Minister of Agriculture, founded Agriculture College, Hebbal, offering a four-year program affiliated with the [[University of Mysore]].

In 1963, the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) was established, with 1300 acres granted for the Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra Campus. Dr. [[Kullal Chickappu Naik|K.C. Naik]] became the first Vice Chancellor in 1964. In 1969, [[Indira Gandhi]] inaugurated the GKVK campus. Veterinary College, Hebbal, was established in 1958.

On October 1, 1965, UAS Bangalore absorbed various agricultural colleges and research stations. It expanded its offerings, establishing the Fisheries College at [[Mangalore|Mangaluru]] in 1969 and the Agricultural Engineering Institute at [[Raichur]]. In 1974, Home Science College was founded at the Dharwad campus, alongside other colleges.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://uasbangalore.edu.in/index.php/about-us-home-en/history-en |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=uasbangalore.edu.in |archive-date=2 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402053249/https://uasbangalore.edu.in/index.php/about-us-home-en/history-en |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Campus ==
<gallery mode=packed heights=200px>
Library, GKVK.jpg|Library
Gkvk.jpg|In 2006
UAS agri college.jpg|Bust of M. Puttarudriah
GKVK heritage site.jpg|Heritage Site Map
</gallery>
The campus comprises 412 acres of land.<ref name=":1" /> The campus was declared as a biodiversity heritage site in 2010 by the Karnataka Biodiveristy Board.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-05-16 |title=GKVK a ‘biodiversity heritage’ |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2010/Jul/28/gkvk-a-biodiversity-heritage-173573.html |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The university has engaged in development of various agro and biotech research plots, as well as nurturing its landscape to support a diverse range of [[flora]] and [[fauna]]. Its campus is said to be known for its efforts towards [[environmental sustainability]], being considered as one of the greenest areas in Bengaluru. In addition to its research endeavors, the university has facilitated the collection of a wide array of germplasms and has established a [[botanical garden]] boasting nearly 600 species of important plants. Furthermore, the university has implemented herbal gardens and conducted research on agriculturally significant microbes, among other initiatives.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |title=Brief details of Gandhi Krishi Vignyan Kendra Biodiversity Heritage Site, Karnataka. |url=https://kbb.karnataka.gov.in/storage/pdf-files/BHS/ಗಾಂಧಿ%20ಕೃಷಿ%20ವಿಜ್.pdf |journal=Karnataka Biodiversity Board}}</ref> In 2023, About 1000 [[eucalyptus]] trees were axed as it was decided to replace them with 10,000 native species of trees.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DHNS |title=Bengaluru's Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra to replace eucalyptus with native trees |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/bengalurus-gandhi-krishi-vigyan-kendra-to-replace-eucalyptus-with-native-trees-2653069 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> ''[[Victoria amazonica]]'' is also present in the campus and is grown to distribute to various other institutions among the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mavad, DHNS |first=Asra |title=World’s largest water lily species blooms in Bengaluru |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/world-s-largest-water-lily-species-blooms-in-bengaluru-1040068.html |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> GPS-enabled smart bicycles for students and staff of the University are available in the campus.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |last2= |last3= |first3= |date=November 28, 2017 |title=Bengaluru: Smart rental bikes help GKVK campus go green; GPS-enabled bicycles work with app, cost Rs 5 an hour |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/bengaluru-smart-rental-bikes-help-gkvk-campus-go-green-gps-enabled-bicyles-work-with-app-cost-rs-5-an-hour/articleshow/61824885.cms |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Bangalore Mirror |language=en}}</ref>

=== Fauna Biodiversity ===
The campus has about 13 species of mammals, ten species of reptiles, 165 species of birds and over 500 species of plants according to a survey.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DHNS |title=Heritage tag may save GKVK from land sharks |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/heritage-tag-may-save-gkvk-2537551 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> [[eBird]] lists around 171 species of birds seen in the campus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GKVK Campus--Botanical Garden, Bengaluru Urban County, KA, IN - eBird Hotspot |url=https://ebird.org/hotspot/L2676130 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=ebird.org |language=en}}</ref>
<gallery mode="packed">
Swinhoe's minivet.jpg|[[Swinhoe's minivet]] from the gardens of the campus.
Indian Peafowl imported from iNaturalist photo 362606572 on 15 April 2024.jpg|[[Indian Peacock]] on top of a flowerbush within the campus.
Indian Grey Hornbill imported from iNaturalist photo 363965160 on 15 April 2024.jpg|[[Indian Grey Hornbill]] from the campus.
Spotted Owlet imported from iNaturalist photo 363965197 on 15 April 2024.jpg|[[Spotted Owlet]] from the campus.
</gallery>

===Krishi Mela===
Krishi Mela<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=DHNS |title='Krishi Mela' at GKVK campus from Nov 16 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/krishi-mela-gkvk-campus-nov-2026956 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref> is an annual event (fair) in the campus.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-09 |title=UAS-Bangalore Krishi Mela from Nov 19-21 |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/UAS-Bangalore-Krishi-Mela-from-Nov-19-21/article20883467.ece |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref> It showcases latest agricultural technologies for the benefit of farmers. The event includes stalls from various research institutes, seeds companies, farm machinery manufacturers in India as well as stalls showcasing techniques of organic farming and produces.<ref name=":0" /> In 2022, 1.7 million people visited the fair, and over 95 million transactions were conducted.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2023-11-16 |title=Four-day Krishi Mela to kick off on Friday |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2023/Nov/16/four-day-krishi-mela-to-kick-off-on-friday-2633250.html |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Universities and colleges in Bengaluru]]

Gandhi Krishi Vigyana Kendra - Revision history

Camorabug at 03:43, 21 February 2026