JAMMU: University of Jammu has taken a unique step towards digitization of flora on the campus.

This particular leap is a way forward to march with the Digital India Initiative. Under this digital drive QR codes are being installed on the plants growing on the campus.

This initiative was spearheaded by the Vice Chancellor JU, Prof Umesh Rai, as part of the university's commitment to incorporating innovative technology into everyday life on campus.

The QR codes, which are quick response codes that can be scanned with a smartphone, provide information about the various aspects of plant species growing on the university campus. By scanning the codes, students, faculty members, and visitors can access important information about the plants including their scientific names, family, local names, and importance. During this activity, QR codes were installed on about 1600 plants on the university campus.

Stressing its religious and medicinal importance along with its role in reducing air pollution, while installing the first QR code to Ficus religiosa L. (Peepal) tree, Prof Umesh Rai, said that the installation of QR codes on plants not only enhances the beauty of our campus but also provides valuable educational resource to the community. "This initiative is just one of the many ways in which the university is leveraging technology to create a more engaging and interactive campus environment," he further added.

QR code development has been initiated by the Department of Botany, JU with the active involvement and tremendous efforts of its research scholars and faculty members. This visionary project of the Vice Chancellor was completed under the guidance and leadership of Prof Susheel Verma, Head, Department of Botany, JU.

Others who were present on the occasion, included Prof Susheel Verma, Head, Department of Botany, Prof Yash Pal Sharma, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, faculty members, research scholars, and students of the Department of Botany, JU.