Dir, BOG Chair, Registrar Says “grant elevates the Institute’s national research profile”
Srinagar : Dr. Shrikant Shivaji Maktedar from the Department of Chemistry at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has achieved a significant milestone by securing a ₹3.5 crore research project under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), sanctioned by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The project, titled “Circular Bioeconomy Approach towards Catalytic Transformation of Lignocellulosic/Biopolymeric Himalayan Waste into Durable & Degradable Bioplastic,” aims to convert Himalayan biomass and waste into sustainable, biodegradable bioplastics over a three-year period. As the Principal Investigator, Dr. Maktedar will lead the project alongside Co-Principal Investigators Prof. N.G. Sahoo and Dr. Sandeep Samantaray. The project has been praised by various institute leaders, including Dr. Milind Pralhad Kamble, who highlighted its potential societal and ecological impact, and Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, who emphasized its significance in addressing plastic alternatives and waste management in the Himalayan region. The grant reflects NIT Srinagar’s commitment to high-impact research and its strategic focus on environmental challenges. Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir noted that this achievement enhances the institute’s national standing and opens new avenues for collaboration. Prof. Atikur Rehman described the project as a pivotal advancement in the institute’s research trajectory, aligning with global priorities for waste reduction and green alternatives. Dr. Maktedar expressed gratitude for the support from NIT Srinagar’s leadership and acknowledged the contributions of his co-investigators. He emphasized that the funding will bolster the research group’s capabilities in developing sustainable solutions for the Himalayan region, reinforcing the institute’s role in environmental research.
