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{{Short description|Indian botanist and ecologist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Saroj Kanta Barik
| image = SKB Portrait photo.png
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Prof. Saroj Kanta Barik
| birth_date = 12 April 1965
| birth_place = [[Remuna]], [[Odisha]], India
| occupation = [[Botanist]], [[Ecologist]]
| employer = [[North-Eastern Hill University]]
| title = [[Dean_(education)|Dean]], School of Life Sciences Professor of Botany
| alma_mater = [[Utkal University]] [[Berhampur University]] [[North-Eastern Hill University]]
| known_for = [[Plant ecology]], [[Biodiversity conservation]], [[Bioprospection]]
| awards = Fellow, [[Indian National Science Academy]] (FNA) (2024) Fellow, [[Indian Academy of Sciences]] (FASc) (2025) Fellow, [[National Academy of Sciences, India]] (FNASc) (2018) Fellow, [[National Academy of Agricultural Sciences]] (FNAAS) (2020)
}}
'''Saroj Kanta Barik''', also known as '''S. K. Barik''', is an Indian [[botanist]], [[ecologist]], and scientific and academic administrator specializing in [[plant ecology]], [[biodiversity conservation]], and [[bioprospection]]. He is a Professor of [[Botany]] and the current [[Dean_(education)|Dean]] of the School of Life Sciences at [[North-Eastern Hill University]] (NEHU), [[Shillong]].<ref name="Dean">{{cite web |title=School of Life Sciences: Faculty and Board |url=https://nehu.ac.in/school/3/School-of-Life-Sciences |publisher=North-Eastern Hill University |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref> He previously served as the Director of the [[National Botanical Research Institute|CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute]] (CSIR-NBRI) from 2016 to 2022, and concurrently held the directorship of the [[Indian Institute of Toxicology Research|CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research]] (CSIR-IITR), [[Lucknow]] from 2020 to 2022.<ref name="TOI_NBRI">{{cite news |title=NBRI biodiversity park at Central Vista to showcase India's freedom struggle |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/nbri-biodiversity-park-at-central-vista-to-showcase-indias-freedom-struggle/articleshow/94312832.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2022-09-20 |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref><ref name="PIB_IITR">{{cite press release |title=Curtain Raiser of IISF-2020 held at CSIR-IITR |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1676983&reg=3&lang=2 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |date=2020-11-29 |access-date=2026-01-04}}</ref><ref name="CSIR_SDG">{{cite web |title=Detailed Program with Abstract & Profile of the Speakers |url=https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/2023-07/Detailed%20Program%20with%20Abstract%20%26%20Profile%20of%20the%20Speakers%20CSIR%20sessions%20at%20SSUNGA77.pdf |publisher=Council of Scientific and Industrial Research |access-date=2026-01-04}}</ref><ref name="SSUNGA">{{cite web |title=CSIR, India: An Innovation Hub for Global Sustainable Development |url=https://ssunga77.sched.com/event/1AjCL/ref-22537-csir-india-an-innovation-hub-for-global-sustainable-development-day-1 |publisher=Science Summit at UN General Assembly 77 |access-date=2026-01-04}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Barik was born on 12 April 1965 in Gourpur, Remuna, in the [[Balasore district]] of [[Odisha]]. He completed his Bachelor of Science from [[Utkal University]] (1983) and his Master of Science in Life Sciences-Botany from [[Berhampur University]] (1985). He earned his Ph.D. from [[North-Eastern Hill University]] (NEHU) in 1993, where his doctoral research focused on the ecology of tree regeneration in the subtropical wet hill forests of [[Meghalaya]].<ref name="NAAS">{{cite web |title=Dr. Saroj Kanta Barik Fellow Profile |url=https://naas.org.in/detail.php?id=710 |publisher=National Academy of Agricultural Sciences |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>

== Career ==
Barik began his career as a scientist at the State Forest Research Institute, Government of [[Arunachal Pradesh]] (1995–1997). He joined NEHU as a lecturer in 1997, becoming a Professor in 2006. He served as the Head of the Department of Botany at NEHU from 2014 to 2016.<ref name="LEAD">{{cite web |title=Dr Saroj K Barik Fellow Profile |url=https://www.leadindia.org/fellow/dr_saroj_barik/ |publisher=LEAD India |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>

=== Administrative roles ===
In November 2016, Barik was appointed Director of the [[National Botanical Research Institute|CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute]]<ref name="HT_Departure">{{cite news |title=Prabodh Trivedi gets additional charge of NBRI |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/lucknow-news/prabodh-trivedi-gets-additional-charge-of-nbri-101667417614598.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=2022-11-02 |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>. During his tenure, he was designated as an "Outstanding Professor" (Scientist H), a senior professor rank within the [[Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research]] (AcSIR).<ref>{{cite web |title=The Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research Act, 2011 |url=https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/acts_parliament/2011/the-academy-of-scientific-and-innovative-research-act,-2011.pdf |publisher=The Gazette of India |date=2011-12-27 |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref> Between 2020 and 2022, he concurrently held directorship of the [[Indian Institute of Toxicology Research|CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research]], Lucknow.<ref name="PIB_IITR"/><ref name="SSUNGA"/> He was also the Theme Director of CSIR ''Argiculture-Nutrition-Biotechnology'' theme from 2019 to 2022.<ref name="CSIR_SDG"/><ref name="CSIR_TD">{{cite web |title=CSIR Theme Directorates |url=https://www.csir.res.in/en/csir-theme-directorates |publisher=Council of Scientific and Industrial Research |access-date=2026-01-04}}</ref>

Following his return to NEHU, Barik assumed charge as the [[Dean_(education)|Dean]] of School of Life Sciences at the university from 2025.<ref name="Dean"/>

== Research ==
Barik has authored research papers in peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and books. His works have been published in journals such as ''[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]]'', ''Current Forestry Reports'', and ''[[Journal of Applied Ecology]]''.

=== Taxonomic contributions ===
Barik and his research team have described several new plant species from the [[Himalayas]] and North-East India. These discoveries include:

* '''''Trisetopsis himalayensis''''' (2021), a new grass species (Poaceae, Aveninae) discovered from the Maitoli Glacier in the [[Western Himalaya]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Harsh |last2=Prasad |first2=Dileshwar |last3=Agnihotri |first3=Priyanka |last4=Barik |first4=S.K. |title=Trisetopsis himalayensis (Poaceae, Aveninae): a new species from Maitoli Glacier, Western Himalaya, India |journal=Nordic Journal of Botany |year=2021 |doi=10.1111/njb.03390}}</ref>
* '''''Anemone pindariensis''''' (2021), a new species from the [[Pindari Glacier|Pindari valley]] of the Western Himalaya.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Harsh |last2=Barik |first2=S.K. |title=Anemone pindariensis sp. nov., a new species from Pindari valley of the Western Himalaya, India |journal=[[Phytotaxa]] |volume=516 |issue=3 |pages=289–295 |year=2021}}</ref>
* A new species of '''''[[Aconitum]]''''' (2021) described from [[Sikkim]] in the Eastern Himalaya.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Singh |first1=Harsh |last2=Pradhan |first2=Aditya |last3=Adhikari |first3=Dibyendu |last4=Chetrii |first4=Arun |last5=Barik |first5=Saroj Kanta |title=A new species of Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) from Indian Eastern Himalayan state of Sikkim |journal=Phytotaxa |volume=484 |issue=2 |pages=207-216 |year=2021}}</ref>
* '''''Aconitum haridasanii''''' (2020), a new species from [[Arunachal Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tiwary |first1=Raghuvar |last2=Singh |first2=Harsh |last3=Adhikari |first3=Dibyendu |last4=Singh |first4=Prem Prakash |last5=Barik |first5=Saroj Kanta |title=Discovery of Aconitum haridasanii (Ranunculaceae), a new species from Arunachal Pradesh, India |journal=Phytotaxa |volume=440 |issue=3 |pages=232-238 |year=2020}}</ref>
* Another new species of '''''[[Aconitum]]''''' (2019) described from the Eastern Himalaya.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tiwary |first1=Raghuvar |last2=Singh |first2=Harsh |last3=Adhikari |first3=Dibyendu |last4=Singh |first4=Prem Prakash |last5=Barik |first5=Saroj Kanta |title=A new species of Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) from Eastern Himalaya |journal=Phytotaxa |volume=413 |pages=054-060 |year=2019}}</ref>
* A new fern species of '''''[[Christella]]''''' (2019) belonging to the family [[Thelypteridaceae]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Behera |first1=S.K. |last2=Kushwaha |first2=A.K. |last3=Khare |first3=P.B. |last4=Barik |first4=S.K. |title=A new fern species of Christella (Thelypteridaceae) from India |journal=Phytotaxa |volume=397 |pages=246-252 |year=2019}}</ref>
* A new species of '''''[[Pedicularis]]''''' (2018) in the series ''Curvipes'' ([[Orobanchaceae]]).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Agnihotri |first1=P. |last2=Husain |first2=D. |last3=Sahoo |first3=D. |last4=Barik |first4=S.K. |title=A new species and typification in Pedicularis series Curvipes (Orobanchaceae) |journal=Phytotaxa |volume=371 |pages=260-266 |year=2018}}</ref>

Additionally, Barik's team resolved the nomenclature and typification of '''''[[Swertia|Swertia angustifolia]]''''' and its infraspecific taxa in 2020.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Husain |first1=Danish |last2=Barik |first2=Saroj Kanta |last3=Srivastava |first3=Abhai K. |last4=Katiyar |first4=Pushpendra |last5=Sahoo |first5=Dinabandhu |last6=Husain |first6=Tariq |last7=Agnihotri |first7=Priyanka |title=Nomenclature and typification of Swertia angustifolia (Gentianaceae), its infraspecific taxa and synonyms |journal=Taxon |pages=1-7 |year=2020 |doi=10.1002/tax.12276}}</ref>

== Selected bibliography ==
Barik has authored numerous research papers in peer-reviewed journals. Key publications include:

* {{cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=A. |last2=Naseem |first2=M. |last3=Gupta |first3=E. |last4=Srivastava |first4=P.K. |last5=Barik |first5=S.K. |title=Metagenomic profiling of cyanide-degrading microbial communities in steel industry wastewater with an implication for bioremediation |journal=Engineering Environment |volume=19 |issue=10 |page=137 |year=2025}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Adhikari |first1=D. |last2=Singh |first2=P.P. |last3=Tiwary |first3=R. |last4=Barik |first4=S.K. |title=Forest carbon stock-based bioeconomy: mixed models improve accuracy of tree biomass estimates |journal=Biomass and Bioenergy |volume=183 |page=107142 |year=2024}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Kharlyngdoh |first1=Evanylla |last2=Barik |first2=Saroj Kanta |title=Evaluating bioeconomic potential of ''Phyllostachys mannii'' Gamble, a monopodial bamboo and ''Chimonocalamus griffithianus'' (Munro) Hsueh & T.P. Yi, a sympodial bamboo from north-eastern India |journal=Biomass and Bioenergy |volume=182 |page=107076 |year=2024}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Lien |first1=A. |last2=Banki |first2=O. |last3=Barik |first3=S.K. |display-authors=etal |title=Widespread Support for a Global Species List with a Formal Governance System |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=120 |issue=45 |pages=e2306899120 |year=2023}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Himes |first1=A. |last2=Bauhus |first2=J. |last3=Adhikari |first3=S. |last4=Barik |first4=S.K. |display-authors=etal |title=Forestry in the face of global change: Results of a global survey of professionals |journal=Current Forestry Reports |volume=9 |issue=6 |pages=473-489 |year=2023}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Mishra |first1=Niranjan |last2=Behera |first2=S.K. |last3=Barik |first3=S.K. |title=In vitro development of gametophytes and sporophytes of critically endangered fern ''Christella kendujharensis'' S.K. Behera & S.K. Barik (Thelypteridaceae) |journal=Feddes Repertorium |year=2023 |doi=10.1002/fedr.202200015}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Shelke |first1=Rahul G. |last2=Banerjee |first2=Rudra Prasad |last3=Joshi |first3=Babita |last4=Singh |first4=Prem Prakash |last5=Barik |first5=Saroj Kanta |display-authors=etal |title=Chloroplast genome of ''Lithocarpus dealbatus'' (Hook.f. & Thomson ex Miq.) Rehder establishes monophyletic origin of the species and reveals mutational hotspots with taxon delimitation potential |journal=Life |volume=12 |page=828 |year=2022}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Rayees |first1=Ahmad Lone |last2=Kunwar |first2=Sarvendra |last3=Singh |first3=Vinayak |last4=Barik |first4=Saroj Kanta |display-authors=etal |title=Adaptation of winged bean (''Psophocarpus tetragonolobus'' (L.) DC.) to drought stress is mediated by root-tuber heat-shock proteins and specific metabolites |journal=Current Plant Biology |volume=32 |page=100266 |year=2022}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Sharma |first1=Vivek K. |last2=Gupta |first2=Sateesh C. |last3=Singh |first3=Brahma N. |last4=Rao |first4=Chandana V. |last5=Barik |first5=Saroj K. |title=''Cinnamomum verum''-derived bioactives-functionalized gold nanoparticles for prevention of obesity through gut microbiota reshaping |journal=Materials Today Bio |volume=13 |page=100204 |year=2022}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Das |first1=Pulakesh |last2=Mudi |first2=Sujoy |last3=Behera |first3=Mukunda D. |last4=Barik |first4=Saroj K. |display-authors=etal |title=Automated Mapping for Long-Term Analysis of Shifting Cultivation in Northeast India |journal=Remote Sensing |volume=13 |page=1066 |year=2021 |doi=10.3390/rs13061066 |doi-access=free}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Adhikari |first1=Dibyendu |last2=Tiwary |first2=Raghuvar |last3=Singh |first3=Prem Prakash |last4=Barik |first4=Saroj Kanta |display-authors=etal |title=Ecological niche modeling as a cumulative environmental impact assessment tool for biodiversity assessment and conservation planning: A case study of critically endangered plant ''Lagerstroemia minuticarpa'' in the Indian Eastern Himalaya |journal=Journal of Environmental Management |volume=243 |pages=299–307 |year=2019}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Adhikari |first1=D. |last2=Tiwary |first2=R. |last3=Barik |first3=S.K. |title=Modelling hotspots for invasive alien plants in India |journal=PLoS ONE |volume=10 |issue=7 |article-number=e0134665 |year=2015 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0134665 |doi-access=free|pmc=4521859 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Adhikari |first1=D. |last2=Barik |first2=S.K. |last3=Upadhaya |first3=K. |title=Habitat distribution modelling for reintroduction of ''Ilex khasiana'' Purk., a critically endangered tree species of north-eastern India |journal=Ecological Engineering |volume=40 |pages=37-43 |year=2012}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Baishya |first1=R. |last2=Barik |first2=S.K. |title=Estimation of tree biomass, carbon pool and net primary production of an old-growth ''Pinus kesiya'' Royle ex.Gordon forest in north-eastern India |journal=Annals of Forest Science |volume=68 |pages=727-736 |year=2011}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Barik |first1=S.K. |last2=Tripathi |first2=R.S. |last3=Pandey |first3=H.N. |last4=Rao |first4=P. |title=Tree regeneration in a subtropical humid forest: effect of cultural disturbance on seed production, dispersal and germination |journal=Journal of Applied Ecology |volume=33 |pages=1551-1560 |year=1996}}

{{Botanist|Barik|inline=yes}}

== Professional associations ==
Barik has held advisory roles in national scientific bodies and government committees. He served as the President of the [[Indian Botanical Society]] in 2025, during which he organized the society's XLVIII All India Botanical Conference and International Symposium at NEHU.<ref>{{cite news |title=Monoculture leads to ecological imbalance, warns Meghalaya Governor |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/monoculture-leads-to-ecological-imbalance-warns-meghalaya-governor-1296978-2025-10-30 |work=India Today NE |date=2025-10-30 |access-date=2026-01-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Minutes of the AGM of the Indian Botanical Society |url=https://indianbotsoc.org/assets/upload/gallery/GB_minutes-29_12_2025_FF2.pdf |publisher=Indian Botanical Society |date=2025-12-29 |access-date=2026-01-04}}</ref>

Other significant roles include:
* '''Board Member''', [[Science and Engineering Research Board]] (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India<ref name="NASI_PDF">{{cite web |title=NASI Year Book 2021 |url=https://nasi.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Programme-WED-2022.pdf |publisher=National Academy of Sciences, India |page=6 |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>
* '''Vice-President''', [[National Academy of Sciences, India]] (NASI)
* '''President''', International Society for Environmental Botanists (ISEB)
* '''Member''', Governing Body, [[G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment]]
* '''Member''', Governing Body, [[National Institute of Plant Genome Research]] (NIPGR)

== Awards and recognition ==
=== Fellowships ===
Barik is a Fellow of the major Indian science academies:
* Fellow, [[Indian National Science Academy]] (FNA), 2024<ref name="IndiaTodayINSA">{{cite news |title=Meghalaya: NEHU scientists elected to prestigious national academies |url=https://www.indiatodayne.in/meghalaya/story/meghalaya-nehu-scientists-elected-to-prestigious-national-academies-1109957-2024-10-23 |work=India Today NE |date=2024-10-23 |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>
* Fellow, [[Indian Academy of Sciences]] (FASc), 2025<ref>{{cite web |title=Prof. Saroj Kanta Barik (FASc 2025) |url=https://fellows.ias.ac.in/profile/v/FL2025006 |publisher=Indian Academy of Sciences |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>
* Fellow, [[The Linnean Society of London]] (FLS), 2020<ref>{{cite journal |journal=The Linnean |title=Newsletter and Proceedings of the Linnean Society of London |volume=37 |issue=2 |date=December 2021 |page=52 |url=https://ca1-tls.edcdn.com/Linnean_Vol-37_2_Dec-2021_web.pdf |publisher=The Linnean Society of London |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>
* Fellow, [[National Academy of Agricultural Sciences]] (FNAAS), 2020<ref name="NAAS"/>
* Fellow, [[National Academy of Sciences, India]] (FNASc), 2018<ref name="NASI">{{cite web |title=BARIK, Saroj Kanta Fellow Profile |url=https://nasi.ac.in/users_listing |publisher=National Academy of Sciences India |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>

=== Awards ===
* Samanta Chandra Sekhar Award (2020), conferred by the Government of Odisha for scientific excellence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biju Patnaik Scientific Excellence Award for Dr Sudhakar Panda |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2023/May/11/biju-patnaik-scientific-excellence-award-for-dr-sudhakar-panda-2574432.html |work=The New Indian Express |date=2023-05-11 |access-date=2025-12-30 |quote=The academy also announced the Samanta Chandra Sekhar Award will be conferred on... Dr Saroj Kanta Barik}}</ref>
* Prof. R.N. Tandon Memorial Award (2020) from the National Academy of Sciences, India<ref name="NASI_PDF"/>
* Professor Birbal Sahni Medal (2019) from the [[Indian Botanical Society]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Awardees of Professor Birbal Sahni Medal |url=https://indianbotsoc.org/award_archivers |publisher=The Indian Botanical Society |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref>
* Dr. Brandis Award (2009) from ''[[The Indian Forester]]''<ref name="NAAS"/>
* Dr. Mopuri Brahmam Memorial Award (2016) for biodiversity conservation<ref name="NAAS"/>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://nehu.ac.in/school/3/School-of-Life-Sciences Faculty Profile at NEHU]
* [https://naas.org.in/detail.php?id=710 Fellow Profile at NAAS]
* [https://www.ibsnehu2025.org/ Official website of the XLVIII All India Botanical Conference]
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barik, Saroj Kanta}}
[[Category:1965 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian botanists]]
[[Category:Indian ecologists]]
[[Category:Academic administrators]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Indian National Science Academy]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Indian Academy of Sciences]]
[[Category:Fellows of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences]]
[[Category:Vice-chancellors by university in India]]

Saroj Kanta Barik - Revision history

Imteenu: starting the stub added tags.