The Department of Zoology is a constituent entity of the Faculty of Science, DDU Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur. Sinceits inception in 1958 under the academic leadership of Prof. H. S. Chaudhary,as founder Head, who later became the Vice Chancellor of the university, it hasbeen the foremost center for learning in all aspects of animal sciences inEastern part of India. Further, Prof. G. S. Shukla, Prof. K. Swarup, Prof. R.A. Agarwal, Prof. Anil K. Srivastava, Prof. A. S. Narain, Prof. K. Pandey,Prof. K. Kumar, Prof. C. P. M. Tripathi, Prof. V. B. Upadhyaya, Prof. R. Singhand Prof. D. K. Singh as head of the department and Dr. Gopal Ji Srivastav, Dr.T. B. Sinha, Prof S. C. Saxena, Prof. S. Khera, Prof. S. S. Gauraya, Prof. A.B. Das, Prof. S. S. Krishna, Prof. M. K. Khare, Prof. R. S. Bhatt, Dr. A. K.Maity, Dr. B. P. Rai, Prof. R. P. Singh, Prof. N. Kumar, Dr. S. R. Tripathi,Prof. A. K. Singh, Prof. A. K. Srivastav, Prof. B. A. Ansari, Prof. P. H.Pathak, Prof. Sunil K Srivastav and Dr. S. K. Tiwari nurtured and strengthened the department with their wisdom and knowledge.

The vision of the department is to facilitate transformation of students into good human beings, responsible citizens and competent professionals focusing on assimilation generation and dissemination of knowledge. This Department strives to create a first class experience for its students by providing a state-of-the-art educational and research environment and giving an opportunity to interact with faculty members. The Department is dedicated to maintain its reputation as an outstanding Department on the basis of the rigorous curriculum and the quality of research. The faculty is committed to encourage students to come up with innovative ideas and fulfill their dreams by preparing themselves professionally for the competitive global market. The department values teaching and research on equal footing and emphasizes research as an integral component of the overall growth of the academic environment and every possible opportunity is harnessed to include the research in the curriculum. The core mission of the department is to advance the Zoology and Environmental Science through the maintenance and development of the quality teaching, research programs.

At present the department offers opportunities for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Zoology and Master’s and Doctoral in Environmental Science. Cell biology, Fishery biology and Entomology at Post Graduation level in Zoology are offered as specialization by the department.. Our course curriculum reflects the strong disciplinary and inter disciplinary approaches in research and teaching. We strive for excellence and synergy in our coordinated programs of teaching and research produce students who are well versed with the subject. Hence with time the faculty members of the department have been upgrading the syllabus to fulfill the objectives and mission of the department. During last session CBCS system was implemented for postgraduate program in Zoology and Environmental Science and this year department has rolled out CBCS system for Undergraduate and Pre Phd program.

The outstanding research output of the department is indicated by publication of more than 2540 full research papers and 115 review articles in widely circulated international journals of good impact factors, since its inception. Active participation of the faculty members in more the 200 national and international conference and about a dozen books published by the faculty members indicate the vibrant academic life of the department. Since its establishment about 400 students were awarded Ph.D. and two were conferred. Sc. in Zoology. Faculty members of the department have successfully completed many projects funded by national agencies like CSIR, UGC, UPCST, ICAR, DBT, DSTand DOE.

The department has well equipped laboratories, an organized museum and Departmental library with good collection of books. Faculty members of the department are actively engaged in the corporate life of the university to maintain healthy and disciplined atmosphere in the university. The department has successfully conducted 4 international, 6 national conferences, 7 refresher courses, 5 short term workshops and all faculty members have been actively delivering lectures in different institutions, colleges and UGC HRDC. Department of Zoology believes in carrying research from lab to land hence, following this theme it has been organizing farmer’s awareness programs on vermi-composting, Bio-pesticides and their uses. Celebration of world environment day, worldozone day, wild life week etc. to initiate awareness about environmental issues is a regular feature of the department. At present, under the dynamic leadership of Prof. Veena B. Kushwaha department is striving forward towards excellence.

Prof. Ajay Singh(171 research publication), is internationally known for formulation and usage of bio-pesticides for the control of vector borne diseases. His team is actively involved in control of mosquitoes in eastern Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with Department of malaria, U.P. Government. At present he is also actively extending his services as Dean Student’s Welfare, Finance Officer, Director, IQAC of the University.

Prof. Veena B.Kushwaha (50 research publication) is working on controlled/sustained release of biologically active compounds from synthetic as well as natural polymer matrices. She is also engaged in evaluation of toxicological and pharmacological activities of toxicants against mammals. She has delivered about a dozen on line and offline invited talks in various faculty development programmes for different University/ colleges during this session.

Prof. R. K.Upadhyay (157 research publication) is actively engaged in isolation, purification and production of monoclonal antibodies against animal toxins. He has done work on immuno cytochemical localization of cholesterol binding proteins in insects, antimicrobial activity of plant extracts and termite control.

Prof. Vinay K.Singh (147 research publication) is actively engaged in the study of molluscanphysiology, biochemistry and snail control. The research team of this lab hasreported the nucleotide sequencing of Fasciola gigantic and theirlarvae. He is Chief Editor of two International repute Journals. He is also serving as Director, Self Finance Courses, Honorary Librarian, Convener, Rovers and Rangers and In-charge EDP Cell, Chief of Employment Information and Advisory Centre, Convener of Chief Minister’s U.P Shikshuta Protsanhan Yojna,Coordinator affiliated colleges, ADSW and Secretary Alumni Cell.

Dr. Keshav Singh(81 research publication) is working in the area of Vermi-biotechnology andwaste management. He has expertise in production of vermi-compost fromdifferent waste materials. He is also serving as Programme Co-ordinator of NSS.

Dr. R. P. Yadav(48 research publication) focuses on studying the mechanism of control of vector snails and fresh water predatory fishes using both natural and synthetic pesticides. He evaluates toxicity of pesticides via biochemical, physiological and genotoxic experiments against freshwater fishes. He was awarded young scientist award by council of Science and technology, Uttar Pradesh Governmental the year 2005-06 for his work.

Dr Sushil Kumar(10 research publication) is a passionate researcher and teacher in the field of cancer Biology, Cell Biology, Cytogenetics, Gastroenterology and Biostatistics. He has been awarded two best paper presentation awards.