A capable teacher, an able administrator, a curious mind and a scientist we will remember for long, yes we are talking about Prof. P. N. Kachroo whom we lost for ever. Before leaving, he left some unforgettable imprints of his personality, profiles M.R.D. Kundangar.
"Professor Prem Nath Kachroo, an accomplished all round botanist, nationally and internationally known for his outstanding contributions in cytogenetics, biosystematics, ecology, morphology and phytogeography of the north-west and the east-Himalayan flora; "Alas is no more!
Prof. Kachroo was born on October 16, 1924 in a middle class Kashmiri Pandit family at Srinagar. After completing early education up to intermediate examination at Srinagar, Kachroo studied at Lahore. He had his MSc. (Hons.) degree in Botany from Forman Christian College and the Ph D. degree from Khalsa College Amritsar under the supervision and guidance of an eminent scientist Prof. Mehra. His doctoral research on chromosome morphology and on sporeling germination in the Indian Hepaticae (in particular Rebouliaceae) form the basis of Mehra�s address at the International Botanical Congress held at Moscow. Kachroo�s research strengthened the concept of descending evolution in Hepaticae earlier postulated by Goebel, Evans and Kashyap. It was Kachroo�s additional work on morphology and chromosomes which provided pathways of parallel evolution in some genera of Hepaticae. His research as lecturer in P.G. Deptt. Of Botany at University of Gauhati (Assam) in 1950 with B. K. Nayar concerned floristics, taxonomy, morphology and phytogeography of ferns of Assam. Acknowledging his work, Kachroo in 1953 became fellow of the Linnean Society (London) at age of 29. in 1954 Dr Kachroo joined Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) as a biologist and was assigned the job on the ecology of mainland water bodies in DVC command area mainly on the study of aquatic vegetation in relation to breeding of Anopheles mosquito larvae and work involved observations in area extending from Kolkatta to Hazaribagh besides control of water weeds at Dam site.
In 1956, Dr Kachroo left for United States of America on the award of Smith Mundt Fullbright Fellowship to study Phytogeogrpahy of Alaska at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His research studies on the Taxonomic revision of family Lejuneaceae (Hepaticeae) in association with Rindolf M Schuster resulted in discovery of several new genera and groups.
In 1959, on his return from USA, Dr Kachroo joined the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi as Editor of research publications. During his stint at ICAR, he published Census of Indian Hepaticae apart from several other papers and books. In 1967, Dr Kachroo joined Jammu & Kashmir University as Professor and Head, Department of Botany; during his stay for over 23 years, Professor Kachroo worked with strong commitment towards the development of Botany teaching and research and utilized his life long expertise in development of the newly joined department into a strong centre of botanical research in J&K State with emphasis floristics, cytogenetics, ecology, morphology and phytogeography of the Kashmir and Jammu flora. He also helped in the development of plant physiology, plant morphology and taxonomy sections. The new areas of exploration provided challenging scenario in the dispersal, distribution and diversity of Kashmir flora from the alpines, to the valley and plains of Jammu as well. His interest developed in ethnobotanical properties of the wild flora which necessitated studies on the socio cultural aspects of the Kashmiris.
Prof. Kachroo had a band of highly committed and dedicated doctoral students to work under his able guidance which include Prof. G. N. Javied, Prof. Shashi Kant, Prof. Ali Mohammad Shah, Dr. late Ali Mohammad Mir, Prof. Late Nazir Ahmad Bhat, Prof.Maqbool, Prof. Amina, Prof. G. H. Dar, Prof. A. R. Naqshi, Prof, Abid Hussain Munshi, Prof. Mohammad Yaseen Shah, Dr. Bimal Misiri, Dr. Abdul Rashid Trag etc. His continued research resulted in establishing appropriate affinities of Kashmir and Central Asian flora detailing distributional patterns of various taxa and about the origin of Kashmir flora.
As a model teacher and humble administrator he has produced eminent teachers and administrators like Prof, Abdul Qayoom Sidiquii, Prof. Abdul Majid Kak, Prof. S. G. Sarwar, Prof. Sonawullah Shiekh, Qazi Mohammad Shafi, Kurshid Ahmad Malik, Muhammad Yousuf Khan, Dr C. L. Trisal, Abdul Majid Shawl, Basharat Ahmad Geelani , Deepak Budkhi besides scores of� eminent personalities .
Establishing the initial research studies on Ecology of Dal lake Kashmir was another landmark in the research contributions from his postgraduate Department of Botany. Though basically a cytologist and a student of Evolutionary Botany, Prof. P. Kachroo adopted a multidisciplinary approach so as to understand the biodiversity richness of J&K State in particular. His contributions on cytological complexes in ferns and alpine flora are outstanding. Prof. Kachroo�s students have grown into well accomplished ecologists, botanists, teachers and earned laurels on the basis of their vide pendant work on divergent areas which not only bring credits to themselves but also made Prof. Kachroo a proud teacher.
After his superannuation in 1984, he continued to work in the P.G. Deptt. Of Botany University of Kashmir for many years as Director of centre of the plant taxonomy to built up of which he was greatly instrumental. Prof. Kachroo was Emeritus fellow, UGC and Emeritus � Scientist, Deptt. Of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India.
Recognition and Achievements
Prof. Kachroo headed the P.G. Deptt. Of Botany from 1967 � 1984. He was officiating Vice Chancellor during the intervening period of 1978 � 79, 1981-1982, 183-84. Dean faculty of Sciences 1982 � 1984, dean students welfare 1976-1978, member university Council 1983-1984.
Academic Distinctions
Senior Research scholar (Punjab University), Post doctoral / Merit scholarship (Punjab University) visiting fellow: Smith / Mundt Fulbright Education Exchange Programme; Scientist Member Indo- Bulgarian Cultural Exchange Programme (Sofia University), Member Indo �USSR Cultural Exchange Programme (Leningrad, Moscow Central Asia)
Professional Awards
Prof. A. C. Joshi Memorial Lecturer; P. Maheshwari Gold Medal (Indian Bot. Society) 1985; Prof. P.N. Mehra Memorial Award for outstanding research contributions in Botany (1995). Honored by Jammu University during National Conference on Biodiversity (1998).
Professor Kachroo was known as a very gentle person with cool temperament and very liberal outlook. Being a renowned botanist of his time he was soft spoken, helpful and generous as a teacher, Scientist and friend.This attitude enabled him to win a large number of admirers whom he very affectionately value in life.
To me his continued moral support, supervision, guidance and affection was available till his last breath, I am not alone a lucky person in this respect, there are many more like me to whom Prof. P. Kachroo�s guidance and personal affection was available all through the period of their contact.
The sad demise of Prof.Kachroo is a loss to the Nation. To me, it is a personal loss as I am deprived of his valued suggestions, guidance and affection. May God rest his soul in peace and give courage to the bereaved family.
Prof. Kachroo was born on October 16, 1924 in a middle class Kashmiri Pandit family at Srinagar. After completing early education up to intermediate examination at Srinagar, Kachroo studied at Lahore. He had his MSc. (Hons.) degree in Botany from Forman Christian College and the Ph D. degree from Khalsa College Amritsar under the supervision and guidance of an eminent scientist Prof. Mehra. His doctoral research on chromosome morphology and on sporeling germination in the Indian Hepaticae (in particular Rebouliaceae) form the basis of Mehra?s address at the International Botanical Congress held at Moscow. Kachroo?s research strengthened the concept of descending evolution in Hepaticae earlier postulated by Goebel, Evans and Kashyap. It was Kachroo?s additional work on morphology and chromosomes which provided pathways of parallel evolution in some genera of Hepaticae. His research as lecturer in P.G. Deptt. Of Botany at University of Gauhati (Assam) in 1950 with B. K. Nayar concerned floristics, taxonomy, morphology and phytogeography of ferns of Assam. Acknowledging his work, Kachroo in 1953 became fellow of the Linnean Society (London) at age of 29. in 1954 Dr Kachroo joined Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) as a biologist and was assigned the job on the ecology of mainland water bodies in DVC command area mainly on the study of aquatic vegetation in relation to breeding of Anopheles mosquito larvae and work involved observations in area extending from Kolkatta to Hazaribagh besides control of water weeds at Dam site.