The grand building of the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun, turns 83 years old this month. The pride of place which this impressive building enjoys in the valley is well-known. The building is one of the jewels in Doon valley’s crown and is held in great respect as a national heritage site.
There is hardly any visitor to this region who has not seen this grand building and the museums it houses. Of late, several Hindi films and even South Indian films have been shot at this campus. Karan Johar’s “Student of the Year” has some lovely scenes shot at FRI.
Styled in Greco-Roman Architecture by Sir CG Blomfield, the main building is a National Heritage which was inaugurated in 1929. It was inaugurated by Lord Irwin, the viceroy of India, on November 7, 1929. Its Greco-Roman and Oriental architecture is spread over a plinth area of 2.8 hectares. The FRI campus is spread over 500 hectares. The building took seven years to complete and cost a then astronomical sum of about `90 lakh.
Seventy five years of the grand FRI building were celebrated in 2004, two years before the Forest Research Institute celebrated its centenary year. Senior foresters and scientists attended the platinum jubilee celebrations in the valley.
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