I was born and raised in the exquisite region of Uttarakhand, India. From the beginning, I was keenly interested in nature and the different kinds of things in it. I used to try different art forms inspired by nature. Later, I learned resin art, which allowed me to preserve various flowers in resin for a lifetime. The idea of preserving flowers is fascinating to me. During my post-graduation period, I chose bryology as my special subject; that’s when I learned more about these interesting plants. During this time, I was lucky to be supervised by Dr. S. D. Tewari, whose teaching methods were encouraging. He had a remarkable talent for elucidating these small plants’ vastness and unique characteristics.
After graduating in 2019, I was fortunate enough to secure a position as a research scholar under the mentorship of Dr. S. D. Tewari. My interest in bryophytes grew even more when I worked on my dissertation, which focused on Riccia. This exploration revealed the incredible diversity and intricate traits of even the most primitive thalloid liverworts. I found myself drawn particularly to the fascinating spore ornamentation of these plants, a detail that sparked my curiosity and fuelled my passion for further exploration. After my dissertation work, I was allotted the study area (Gairsain, Uttarakhand) for my Ph.D. work. As my research work is mainly based on taxonomy, I meticulously identified many species of bryophytes during my research period. Each finding increased my fondness for these tiny plants’ complex beauty and distinct features. I’ve understood the vast distinctions between each bryophyte species through my studies. I greatly respect individuals who devote their careers to studying these often-overlooked organisms. In my opinion, anyone who is determined to explore the world of bryophytes is a true hero, exhibiting an incredible dedication to knowing and enjoying the complexities of nature on a microscopic scale. As I continue my journey in bryophyte research, I am filled with purpose and determination. Today, as I continue to explore and study the intricate ecosystems of Uttarakhand and beyond, I am glad for the opportunity to immerse myself in the beauty and diversity of nature, which has always served as my most significant source of inspiration. My ambition is to dedicate my life to studying these extraordinary plants, contributing in whatever way I can to my understanding of this fascinating section of the botanical world.
My three publications are given below-
Kohli N, Tewari SD, Pant S, Joshi P. (2023) Plagiochila subtropica Stephani (Plagiochilaceae, marchantiophyta) new to Western Himalayas. Journal of Indian botanical society. 103 (4): 306-308 10.5958/2455-7218.2023.00020.7
Tewari SD, Pant S, Bhandari M, Joshi P, Kohli N, Binwal N. (2022) Bryocrumia vivicolor, a rheophytic, hypnaceous moss, new to the western himalayas, india. Acta Botanica Hungarica 64(3–4): 411–416 10.1556/034.64.2022.3-4.12
Pant S, Kohli N, Akiyama H, Tewari SD, Joshi P, Bhandari M. (2022)Revisiting the identity of Pylaisiadelpha capillacea (Griff.) B.C.Tan & Y.Jia (Pylaisiadelphaceae, Musci). Journal of Bryology. 44 (2):172-174 10.1080/03736687.2022.2122378