The Geography Department was established on 16th July 1958,when Geography Department of the Maharana Pratap Degree College, Gorakhpur was merged in the University. At that time there were only three faculties in the department, Dr. Mahatam Singh as the Head of the department and Dr. Chandra Badan Tiwari and Dr. (Miss) Surinder Pannu as lecturers. Shri S. Bandyopadhyay joined as a temporary lecturer in 1959. In 1960 the number of staff members increased when Ramesh Dutta Dikshit joined as lecturer coming from Allahabad. It was in 1961 that the first batch of post-graduate in Geography passed out from the department. Since then the number of geography students kept on swelling for quite a few years. July 1963, may be termed as a landmark in the progress of geography in this university. It was in this session that Dr. Subodh Chandra Bose joined as first Professor & Head of the department. Before coming to Gorakhpur, he was serving on the same post at Kamataka University, Dharwar. Virendra Kumar Srivastava joined this department as a lecturer in 1963 after serving for some time in Dr. H.S. Gour University, Sagar. In 1964, the existing syllabi of the department were thoroughly revised and enriched and effort was made to define the theoretical base of the subject to strengthen the existing branches and to streamline the training of practical geography. Prof. Bose was a Geomorphologist and specialist in regional geography of India. These two branches were expanded and new special papers like cartography and advance climatology were introduced. The students of the department traveled far and wide in different regions of the country for personal survey and collection of ground truth. In 1965 staff structure was strengthened when Dr. H.H. Giri & Mr. J .P. Mishra joined as a temporary lecturer. Dr. BR Rao joined the department after serving for three years in Kisan Degree College, Basti. One of the notable achievements of the department was that Dr. S.C. Bose founded “Association of North Indian Geographer” and publication of its journal named ‘Oriental Geographer’ was started in 1965, the name of this journal was later changed as ‘Geographical Thought’. Prof. S.C. Bose retired in 1967, though he continued as U.G.C. Professor in the same department. Dr. Mahatma Singh again worked as Head of the department for some time. In December 1967 Dr. Ujagir Singh, Ph.D. (London)took over the charge as Prof. and Head of the department. With his joining, the department started a fresh wave of academic transformation. The entire syllabi was reviewed and revised in View of the model syllabus prepared by U.G.C. and the Geography Review Committee. In 1967 RD. Dixit left the department to complete his Ph.D. degree at Australian National University, Canberra on a Commonwealth Scholarship.
Dr. Ujagir Singh’s arrival also affected the number of staff members. Jagat Narayan Pandey joined the department as lecturer in Oct. 1968. This was followed the appointment of Sheo Mangal Singh as a temporary lecturer, who left the department in 1971. Later on in the same year Surendra Nath Singh joined the department as a lecturer. Dr. Jagdish Singh joined the department as reader in April 1969, who was lecturer in the department of Geography B.H.U. Varanasi. In the same year Dr. R.B. Singh joined the department as a lecturer. Hira Lal Yadav joined the department in 1970 as lecturer after serving for some time at D.J. College, Baraut, Meerut. Soon after return of Dr. R.D. Dixit from Canderra in 1971, Dr. V.K. Srivastava left for post doctoral research to London University on a Commonwealth Fellowship in 1972, this leave vacancy was filled in by the appointment of Sheo Shanker as a lecturer. The process of changing number to teaching staff continued as Dr. Dixit left as Reader and Head, Department of Geography of Punjabi University, Patiala. Soon after the return of Dr. V.K. Srivastava from London in 1974, Dr. Mahatma Singh, a founder member of the department retired from service in 1975,the department can reasonably take pride in the growing academic achievements of its staff members. Dr. Jagdish Singh Reader left for Ruhr University, Bochum in 1975 for one session. This visit was followed by Dr. R.B. Singh’s assignment for a diploma course to the Netherlands in October 1977. Dr. C.B. Tiwari, the senior most lecturers was appointed as Reader in Dec. 1977. Phirtu Ram Chauhan joined the department in January 1978 to fill the vacancy of Dr. M. Singh who was retired earlier. Before joining the department he was serving at S.V. College Deoria on same post. Dr. Ujagir Singh retired on 30th June 1979 after serving the department as Professor and Head for about 12 years. Besides his academic attainments, another fact of credit to him was the publication of the research journal of the ‘Association of North Indian Geographer’ in Hindi, instead of English. The journal published since 1965 with the name of Oriental Geography and later Geographical Thought was renamed as Utter Bharat Bhoogol Patrika in 1968. It is one of the standard bilingual research journals of geography in India, being published regularly. After retirement of Prof. U. Singh, Dr. Jagdish Singh, being senior most Reader took over the charge of Headship on 1st July 1979. Sri Kant Dixit was appointed as lecturer in February 1980, after serving two years at Saket PG. College, Faizabad. Dr. C.B. Tiwari left the department as principal of Buddha PG. College Kushinagar, by the end of 1980 and further he was elevated as Vice-Chancellor of Merrut University. The department shifted in new building of its own on 26th Jan. 1981. In Feb. 1981 Dr. Jagdish Singh was appointed as Professor and V.K. Srivastava as Reader. In the mean time Dr. B.P. Rao Visited Ruhr University, Bochum for a period of 6 months. In September 1982 Mrs. Nutan Tyagi was appointed as a lecturer. The year 1983 may be called a landmark in the progress of geography department with the founding the Association of Marketing Geographers of India and with the publication of its biannual journal Indian Journal of Marketing Geography. The chief editor of that journal Dr. V.K. Srivastava became member of I.G.U. Commission on Commercial Activities. Further he was elevated to the post of chairman of commission (1992-96). In May 1986 Dr. BR Rao, Dr. H.H. Giri, Dr. R.B. Singh, Dr. S.N. Singh, Dr. Hira Lal, Dr. J .N. Pandey were promoted as Readers. In July 1986, Dr. R.B. Singh left the department and joined B.H.U.Varanasi on the same post. In same year Dr. S.S. Verma, Dr. BR. Chauhan and Dr. S. K. Dikshit were promoted as senior lecturers. Later on in December 1987, Dr.KN. Singh and Dr. R.B. Patel were appointed as lecturers. In February 1989, Dr.V.N. Sharma was appointed as lecturer. In December 1991 Dr. V.K. Srivastava was promoted as professor along with Dr. S.S. Verma, Dr. BR. Chauhan and Dr. S.K. Dikshit as Readers in the department. Dr. Hari Har Giri retired on 1st July 1989 but worked till 30th June 1990 on session benefit. Dr. R.K. Yadav, who was working as a cartographer was given lectureship in 1993, by enhancement of the cartographer’s post as lecturer. Dr. BR Rao retired from his long service on 11th July 1995, though he was in the department till 30th June 1996. In the year of 1996 Dr. Hira Lal promoted as professor, Dr. Nutan Tyagi as reader and Dr. K.N. Singh, Dr. R.B. Patel, Dr. V.N. Sharma ere promoted as senior lecturers. Prof. J. Singh retired in Jan. 1997, serving as professor and Head for about 18 years and handed over the charge of headship to Professor V.K. Srivastava. In this year the under-graduate and post-graduate syllabi were revised keeping in view to U.G.C. Model and the courses of other university. A workshop of university and college teachers was organized to shape new courses. At this time new courses like Geographic Information System, Geography of Health, Biogeography and Computer Assisted Cartography were introduced. On Oct. 11, 1998 Dr. J .N. Pandey was promoted as professor and Dr. P.R. Chauhan and Dr. S.K. Dikshit selected as readers while Dr. R.K. Yadav promoted as senior lecturer, Dr. S.S. Verma left the department on 14th May 1998 to join the post of Member of UP. Secondary Education Selection Board on deputation leave. Professor Srivastava served the department up to 30th June 1999 and handed over the charge of headship to Professor H.L. Yadav on 30th June 1999. Dr. Shiva Kant Singh joined as lecturer on October 26th 1999. Dr. S.S. Verma and Dr. S.K. Dixit were promoted as professor on July 19th 2001. While Dr. K.N. Singh, Dr. R.B. Patel and Dr. V.N. Sharma promoted as reader under career advancement scheme. On July 20th 2001 N.K. Rana joined the department as lecturer after completing his M.Phil. Degree from Delhi University. Professor H.L. Yadav retired on 14th 2002 and handed over the charge of headship to Professor J .N. Pandey. Dr. Pandey started the self-finance course of PG Diploma in Tourism and Tourist Management (PGDTTM), in which 25 students were admitted. In December 1998 the department has organized 20th Indian Geography Conference of NAGI in which about 300 participants participated from various parts of country. In April 2003, Dr. P.R. Chauhan promoted as professor and later on Dr. R.K. Yadav promoted as reader in Oct. 2003, In the mean time Professor J .N. Pandey retired from headship on 15th August 2003 and handed over the charge of headship to Professor S.S. Verma. Professor J .N. Pandey retired on 30th June, 2006 as the age of retirement as of the teachers enhanced from 60 to 62 years by the State Government. On 15th November, 2008 Dr. Nutan Tyagi, Dr. K.N. Singh and Dr. R.B.Patel were promoted as Professor on personal promotion scheme, whereas Dr. S.K. Singh and Dr. N.K. Rana were promoted as Senior Lecturer Grade. Dr. V.N. Sharma has joined the department of Geography, B.H.U. as Prof. of Geography on 6th Dec. 2007. Prof. S.K. Dixit took over the charge of the Head of the department on 3rd July, 2008. After that Dr. S.K. Singh was promoted as Reader in 2008.Prof. P.R. Chauhan took over the charge of the Head of the department on 3rd July, 2011. Dr. N.K. Rana completed his PG Diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS in 2013-14 from IIRS and he was promoted as Associate Professor in 2013. In 2014,Prof. Nutan Tyagi took over the charge of the Head of the department and Dr. Shiva Kant Singh was promoted as Professor. Professor K.N. Singh took over the charge of the Head of the department on 02 July, 2017. On 21 February, 2018 a glorious chapter has been added to the department when Professor K.N. Singh was appointed as Vice Chancellor of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Prayagraj. Prof. Shiva Kant Singh took over the charge of the Head of the department on 21 February, 2018. On 2nd July 2018 Dr. Narendra Kumar Rana joined the Department as Professor on cadre post and Dr. Swarnima Singh, Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Mr. Ankit Singh, Dr. Dipak Prasad and Dr. Ruchika Singh joined the department as Assistant Professors. Prof. Narendra Kumar Rana took over the charge of the Head of the department on 21 February 2021. Prof. N.K. Rana has joined the department of Geography, B.H.U. as Prof. of Geography on 23rd April 2021 and Prof. Shiva Kant Singh again took over the charge of the Head of the department. Under his headship implemented the syllabus of UG, PG and Ph.D. Course Work on CBCS pattern as well as passed three other Certificate-cum-Diploma courses i.e. (i) Certificate-cum- Diploma Course in Environmental Management, (ii) Certificate-cum-Diploma Course in Remote Sensing& GIS and (iii) Certificate-cum-Diploma Course in Hospitality & Tourism Management. It is a matter of great pleasure after retirement Prof. K.N. Singh was again appointed as Vice Chancellor of South Bihar Central University, Gaya. The Department has got Centre for Excellence in 2020. On 16 June 2023 Dr. Manish Kumar Singh, Dr. Shri Prakash Singh, Dr. Gyan Prakash and Dr. Durgavati Yadav joined the department as Assistant Professors.
Heads of the Department
Dr. Mahatama Singh July 1958 to June 1963
Prof. S.C. Bose July 1963 to June 1967
Dr. Mahatama Singh July 1967 to Dec. 1967
Prof. Ujagir Singh Dec.1967 to June 1979
Prof. Jagdish Singh July 1979 to Jan. 1997
Prof. V.K. Srivastava Jan. 1997 to June 1999
Prof. Hiralal Yadav July 1999 to Aug. 2002
Prof. J.N. Pandey Aug.2002 to Aug. 2003
Prof. S.S. Verma Aug.2003 to June 2007
Prof. S.K. Dikshit June 2007 to Dec. 2007
Prof. S.S. Verma July 2008 to July 2008
Prof. S.K. Dikshit July 2008 to July 2011
Prof. P.R. Chauhan July 2011 to July 2014
Prof. Nutan Tyagi July 2014 to July 2017
Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh July 2017 to Feb. 2018
Prof. Shiva Kant Singh Feb. 2018 to Feb. 2021
Prof. Narendra Kumar Rana Feb. 2021 to Apr. 2021
Prof. Shiva Kant Singh Apr. 2021 to till now
Major Academic Contribution of Department
The Department of Geography of D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur can claim to be one of the few departments of Geography of the country who have contributed to the various horizon of the dimensions of geographical teaching and research. From the early beginning the research in landuse enriched the number of various aspects of landuse analysis, then the regional geography came in the research horizon. In seventies the central place studies and marketing geography were the main themes of research. At this time the department of geography promoted the new branches and concepts in geography by the organization of a series of seminars and conferences. Since the beginning of eighth decade the department presented a new syllabus taking into consideration of changing socio-economic scenario of the country. Another dimension of information technology also came in to the horizon of geography. Credit goes to the department of Geography and also environmental concern was taken into syllabi in the department first of all in Northern India. The conceptual and methodological form of geography was revised in the last decade of 20th century in reference to the era of Liberalization and further Globalization. At present the department of geography has taken consideration of the environment, marketing and impact of globalization. Giving due weightage to these fact the syllabai of semester system has been framed out. After all the geography department of Gorakhpur University has raised the problems of social and economic development in its research dimension and in the way of study. The applied aspects of researches are focused in seeking the remedial actions in micro level ground truth of the rural areas. Thus the department has published more than 105 books & produced more than 292 Ph.D. theses, near about 623 research papers and has organized more than 35 Seminars/Conferences, 18 Refresher Courses and Training Courses which all have based on the local socio economic problems and inviting conceptual development of geography.
Seminar/Symposia Organized by the Department
(1971) Symposium of College Geography Teachers of Eastern U.P. on Development in Geography
(1972) National Seminar on Teaching and Research Methods in Geography.
(1983) Role of Geography in the Management of Rural Environment - Silver Jubilee Seminar, 18-19 March.
(1985) International Conference on Commercial Activity and Rural Development in South Asia, December 21-23.
(1990) Role of Commercial Activities in Economic Development of Ganga Basin, January. 1990.
(1990) Problems of Urbanisation in Eastern U.P. July 30-31.
(1991) International Conference on Environmental Challenge and Commercial System, January 27-29.
(1992) National Conference of I.I.G, February 21-23.
(1993) National Workshop on Commercial Activity and Ecologically Sustainable Development March 27-28.
(1993) Earth day Symposium of IRED., April 22-23.
(1994) Human Ecology, Environment and Quality of life. March 16-18.
(1994) Symposia on Population and Quality of Life December 17-18.
(1995) I.G.U. International Conference on Commercial Activities and Regional Development, organized by Department of Geography, University of Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur held at New Delhi from 23-26 March, 1995.
(1996) Workshop on Sustainable land use Oct 24-25.
(1997) 5th Prithvi Parv Sammelan of IRED., February 11-12
(1998) 50 Years of Urbanisation in India. March 26-27.
(1998) Indian Geography Congress of NAGI., December 28-30.
(2001) National Seminar on Environment, Development & Quality of Life, February 24-26.
(2003) 11th I.R.E.D. Conference on Integrated Waste Land Management, March 6-7, 2003.
(2005) Prithvi Parva Seminar, Gorakhpur.
(2006) 14th I.R.E.D. Seminar on Information Technology, Agricultural Diversification and Rural Development, February 2006.
(2009) 16th I.R.E.D. National Seminar on Land and Water Management for Food Security in India, from 8-9 February 2009.
(2010) Golden Jubilee National Seminar on Management of Land Water Resources for Sustainable Development with Special Reference to Eastern U.P., February 20-21, 2010.
(2010) National Conference on Environment, Technology and Sustainable Development in India, 12-14 November, 2010.
(2011) National Seminar on Population Growth and Regional Development in Uttar Pradesh, February 12-13, 2011.
(2011) National Conference on Environment, Agriculture and Population Growth in India, 26-28 December, 2011.
(2012) I.R.E.D. National Seminar on Demographic Change, Employment Security and Environmental Susceptibility, 29-30 January, 2012.
(2013) National Conference on Technological Innovation, Resource Utilization and Environmental Crisis in India, 01-03 February, 2013.
(2015) Land use in Perspective of Eco-development with the Spatial Reference - Eastern U.P., India, 18-20 November.
(2015) Dynamics of Population & Development, 2 8 February & 01 March.
(2017) Geospatial Technology & Regional Development, 18-19 February.
(2017) Silver Jubilee IRED Prithvi Parva - National Seminar on A Blueprint of Sustainable Development for Purvanchal, U.P., 2 6-2 8 November.
(2018) National Seminar on Geographical Personality of India and National Security, 04-05 March.
(2019) National Workshop on "Environmental Hazards Livlihood Issues & Resilience in Agrarian Socities", 02-03 February.
(2019) International Symposium on “Environment, Sustainability, Law and Cultural Landscape of Asia”, 17-19, October.
Summer Schools & Refresher Courses
I. Summer School “Recent Trends in Geography”, 1978 , Convener- Prof. Ujagir Singh
II. Refresher Course in Geography
“Concept & Methods in Geography” Convener- Prof. J. Singh, 1981
III. Refresher Course in Geography
“Paradigm Shift in geography”, Convener- Prof. J. Singh., 1990
IV Refresher Course in Geography, July 14 – August 2, 1997
“Perspectives in Themes and Methods of Geography”
Convener- Prof. V.K. Shivastava, Dr. S.K. Dikshit, Dr. P.R. Chauhan
V. Refresher Course in Geography, August 1 – August 21, 2002
“Changing Nature of Geographical Studies and Application of G.I.S. in Geography”
Convener- Prof. Hira Lal Yadav
VI. Refresher Course in Geography, December 6-26, 2003
“Recent Concepts & Methods in Geography”
Convener- Prof. P.R. Chauhan
VII. Refresher Course in Geography, Jan. 29 – Feb. 18, 2005
“Paradigm Shift and Recent Trends in Geography”
Convener- Prof. S.K. Dikshit
VIII. Refresher Course in Geography, December 2-22, 2006
“Geography in 21st Century”
Convener- Prof. P.R. Chauhan
IX. DST Training Course on Application of Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS in
Natural Resource Planning and Management” 2006
Coordinator - Prof. S.S. Verma
X. Refresher Course in Geography, 15 December 2007 – 4 January 2008
“Contemporary Issues in Geography”
Convener- Prof. Nutan Tyagi
XI. DST Training Course on Application of Geomatics in Natural Resource Appraisal and Management” Organised by the Department during 15th September to 4th October, 2008.
Coordinator - Prof. S.S. Verma
XII. Refresher Course in Geography, 23 December 2008 – 12 January 2009
“Trends in Modern Geography”
Convener- Prof. P.R. Chauhan
XIII. Refresher Course in Geography, January 08-28, 2011
“Perspective in Environmental Studies”
Convener – Prof. S.K. Dikshit
XIV. DST Training Course on Geospacial Tecnology and Application, in Natural Resource Data Management” 17 Sepember to 06 October 2012
Coordinator - Prof. Nutan Tyagi
XV. Refresher Course in Geography, 16 November to 06 December 2012
“Immersing Issues in Geography”
Convener- Prof. K.N. Singh
XVI. Refresher Course in Geography, 4th Sept. - 24th Sept., 2014, “Contemporary Issues in Geography”
Convener - Dr. S.K. Singh.
XVII. Refresher Course in Geography, 08-28 Feb., 2019, "Emerging Trends and Challenges in Geographical Research"
Convener - Prof. N.K. Rana.
XVIII. Refresher Course in Geography, 26th March – 08 April 2021, “Research Methods and Techniques in Geographical Research”
Convener – Prof. S.K. Singh.
XIX. Refresher Course in Geography, 30th January – 12 February 2024, “Emerging Trends and New Dimension of Research Methods in Geography”
Convener – Prof. S.K. Singh.
Dr. Ujagir Singh’s arrival also affected the number of staff members. Jagat Narayan Pandey joined the department as lecturer in Oct. 1968. This was followed the appointment of Sheo Mangal Singh as a temporary lecturer, who left the department in 1971. Later on in the same year Surendra Nath Singh joined the department as a lecturer. Dr. Jagdish Singh joined the department as reader in April 1969, who was lecturer in the department of Geography B.H.U. Varanasi. In the same year Dr. R.B. Singh joined the department as a lecturer. Hira Lal Yadav joined the department in 1970 as lecturer after serving for some time at D.J. College, Baraut, Meerut. Soon after return of Dr. R.D. Dixit from Canderra in 1971, Dr. V.K. Srivastava left for post doctoral research to London University on a Commonwealth Fellowship in 1972, this leave vacancy was filled in by the appointment of Sheo Shanker as a lecturer. The process of changing number to teaching staff continued as Dr. Dixit left as Reader and Head, Department of Geography of Punjabi University, Patiala. Soon after the return of Dr. V.K. Srivastava from London in 1974, Dr. Mahatma Singh, a founder member of the department retired from service in 1975,the department can reasonably take pride in the growing academic achievements of its staff members. Dr. Jagdish Singh Reader left for Ruhr University, Bochum in 1975 for one session. This visit was followed by Dr. R.B. Singh’s assignment for a diploma course to the Netherlands in October 1977. Dr. C.B. Tiwari, the senior most lecturers was appointed as Reader in Dec. 1977. Phirtu Ram Chauhan joined the department in January 1978 to fill the vacancy of Dr. M. Singh who was retired earlier. Before joining the department he was serving at S.V. College Deoria on same post. Dr. Ujagir Singh retired on 30th June 1979 after serving the department as Professor and Head for about 12 years. Besides his academic attainments, another fact of credit to him was the publication of the research journal of the ‘Association of North Indian Geographer’ in Hindi, instead of English. The journal published since 1965 with the name of Oriental Geography and later Geographical Thought was renamed as Utter Bharat Bhoogol Patrika in 1968. It is one of the standard bilingual research journals of geography in India, being published regularly. After retirement of Prof. U. Singh, Dr. Jagdish Singh, being senior most Reader took over the charge of Headship on 1st July 1979. Sri Kant Dixit was appointed as lecturer in February 1980, after serving two years at Saket PG. College, Faizabad. Dr. C.B. Tiwari left the department as principal of Buddha PG. College Kushinagar, by the end of 1980 and further he was elevated as Vice-Chancellor of Merrut University. The department shifted in new building of its own on 26th Jan. 1981. In Feb. 1981 Dr. Jagdish Singh was appointed as Professor and V.K. Srivastava as Reader. In the mean time Dr. B.P. Rao Visited Ruhr University, Bochum for a period of 6 months. In September 1982 Mrs. Nutan Tyagi was appointed as a lecturer. The year 1983 may be called a landmark in the progress of geography department with the founding the Association of Marketing Geographers of India and with the publication of its biannual journal Indian Journal of Marketing Geography. The chief editor of that journal Dr. V.K. Srivastava became member of I.G.U. Commission on Commercial Activities. Further he was elevated to the post of chairman of commission (1992-96). In May 1986 Dr. BR Rao, Dr. H.H. Giri, Dr. R.B. Singh, Dr. S.N. Singh, Dr. Hira Lal, Dr. J .N. Pandey were promoted as Readers. In July 1986, Dr. R.B. Singh left the department and joined B.H.U.Varanasi on the same post. In same year Dr. S.S. Verma, Dr. BR. Chauhan and Dr. S. K. Dikshit were promoted as senior lecturers. Later on in December 1987, Dr.KN. Singh and Dr. R.B. Patel were appointed as lecturers. In February 1989, Dr.V.N. Sharma was appointed as lecturer. In December 1991 Dr. V.K. Srivastava was promoted as professor along with Dr. S.S. Verma, Dr. BR. Chauhan and Dr. S.K. Dikshit as Readers in the department. Dr. Hari Har Giri retired on 1st July 1989 but worked till 30th June 1990 on session benefit. Dr. R.K. Yadav, who was working as a cartographer was given lectureship in 1993, by enhancement of the cartographer’s post as lecturer. Dr. BR Rao retired from his long service on 11th July 1995, though he was in the department till 30th June 1996. In the year of 1996 Dr. Hira Lal promoted as professor, Dr. Nutan Tyagi as reader and Dr. K.N. Singh, Dr. R.B. Patel, Dr. V.N. Sharma ere promoted as senior lecturers. Prof. J. Singh retired in Jan. 1997, serving as professor and Head for about 18 years and handed over the charge of headship to Professor V.K. Srivastava. In this year the under-graduate and post-graduate syllabi were revised keeping in view to U.G.C. Model and the courses of other university. A workshop of university and college teachers was organized to shape new courses. At this time new courses like Geographic Information System, Geography of Health, Biogeography and Computer Assisted Cartography were introduced. On Oct. 11, 1998 Dr. J .N. Pandey was promoted as professor and Dr. P.R. Chauhan and Dr. S.K. Dikshit selected as readers while Dr. R.K. Yadav promoted as senior lecturer, Dr. S.S. Verma left the department on 14th May 1998 to join the post of Member of UP. Secondary Education Selection Board on deputation leave. Professor Srivastava served the department up to 30th June 1999 and handed over the charge of headship to Professor H.L. Yadav on 30th June 1999. Dr. Shiva Kant Singh joined as lecturer on October 26th 1999. Dr. S.S. Verma and Dr. S.K. Dixit were promoted as professor on July 19th 2001. While Dr. K.N. Singh, Dr. R.B. Patel and Dr. V.N. Sharma promoted as reader under career advancement scheme. On July 20th 2001 N.K. Rana joined the department as lecturer after completing his M.Phil. Degree from Delhi University. Professor H.L. Yadav retired on 14th 2002 and handed over the charge of headship to Professor J .N. Pandey. Dr. Pandey started the self-finance course of PG Diploma in Tourism and Tourist Management (PGDTTM), in which 25 students were admitted. In December 1998 the department has organized 20th Indian Geography Conference of NAGI in which about 300 participants participated from various parts of country. In April 2003, Dr. P.R. Chauhan promoted as professor and later on Dr. R.K. Yadav promoted as reader in Oct. 2003, In the mean time Professor J .N. Pandey retired from headship on 15th August 2003 and handed over the charge of headship to Professor S.S. Verma. Professor J .N. Pandey retired on 30th June, 2006 as the age of retirement as of the teachers enhanced from 60 to 62 years by the State Government. On 15th November, 2008 Dr. Nutan Tyagi, Dr. K.N. Singh and Dr. R.B.Patel were promoted as Professor on personal promotion scheme, whereas Dr. S.K. Singh and Dr. N.K. Rana were promoted as Senior Lecturer Grade. Dr. V.N. Sharma has joined the department of Geography, B.H.U. as Prof. of Geography on 6th Dec. 2007. Prof. S.K. Dixit took over the charge of the Head of the department on 3rd July, 2008. After that Dr. S.K. Singh was promoted as Reader in 2008.Prof. P.R. Chauhan took over the charge of the Head of the department on 3rd July, 2011. Dr. N.K. Rana completed his PG Diploma in Remote Sensing and GIS in 2013-14 from IIRS and he was promoted as Associate Professor in 2013. In 2014,Prof. Nutan Tyagi took over the charge of the Head of the department and Dr. Shiva Kant Singh was promoted as Professor. Professor K.N. Singh took over the charge of the Head of the department on 02 July, 2017. On 21 February, 2018 a glorious chapter has been added to the department when Professor K.N. Singh was appointed as Vice Chancellor of Uttar Pradesh Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Prayagraj. Prof. Shiva Kant Singh took over the charge of the Head of the department on 21 February, 2018. On 2nd July 2018 Dr. Narendra Kumar Rana joined the Department as Professor on cadre post and Dr. Swarnima Singh, Dr. Sarvesh Kumar, Mr. Ankit Singh, Dr. Dipak Prasad and Dr. Ruchika Singh joined the department as Assistant Professors. Prof. Narendra Kumar Rana took over the charge of the Head of the department on 21 February 2021. Prof. N.K. Rana has joined the department of Geography, B.H.U. as Prof. of Geography on 23rd April 2021 and Prof. Shiva Kant Singh again took over the charge of the Head of the department. Under his headship implemented the syllabus of UG, PG and Ph.D. Course Work on CBCS pattern as well as passed three other Certificate-cum-Diploma courses i.e. (i) Certificate-cum- Diploma Course in Environmental Management, (ii) Certificate-cum-Diploma Course in Remote Sensing& GIS and (iii) Certificate-cum-Diploma Course in Hospitality & Tourism Management. It is a matter of great pleasure after retirement Prof. K.N. Singh was again appointed as Vice Chancellor of South Bihar Central University, Gaya. The Department has got Centre for Excellence in 2020. On 16 June 2023 Dr. Manish Kumar Singh, Dr. Shri Prakash Singh, Dr. Gyan Prakash and Dr. Durgavati Yadav joined the department as Assistant Professors.
Heads of the Department
Dr. Mahatama Singh July 1958 to June 1963
Prof. S.C. Bose July 1963 to June 1967
Dr. Mahatama Singh July 1967 to Dec. 1967
Prof. Ujagir Singh Dec.1967 to June 1979
Prof. Jagdish Singh July 1979 to Jan. 1997
Prof. V.K. Srivastava Jan. 1997 to June 1999
Prof. Hiralal Yadav July 1999 to Aug. 2002
Prof. J.N. Pandey Aug.2002 to Aug. 2003
Prof. S.S. Verma Aug.2003 to June 2007
Prof. S.K. Dikshit June 2007 to Dec. 2007
Prof. S.S. Verma July 2008 to July 2008
Prof. S.K. Dikshit July 2008 to July 2011
Prof. P.R. Chauhan July 2011 to July 2014
Prof. Nutan Tyagi July 2014 to July 2017
Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh July 2017 to Feb. 2018
Prof. Shiva Kant Singh Feb. 2018 to Feb. 2021
Prof. Narendra Kumar Rana Feb. 2021 to Apr. 2021
Prof. Shiva Kant Singh Apr. 2021 to till now
Major Academic Contribution of Department
The Department of Geography of D.D.U. Gorakhpur University, Gorakhpur can claim to be one of the few departments of Geography of the country who have contributed to the various horizon of the dimensions of geographical teaching and research. From the early beginning the research in landuse enriched the number of various aspects of landuse analysis, then the regional geography came in the research horizon. In seventies the central place studies and marketing geography were the main themes of research. At this time the department of geography promoted the new branches and concepts in geography by the organization of a series of seminars and conferences. Since the beginning of eighth decade the department presented a new syllabus taking into consideration of changing socio-economic scenario of the country. Another dimension of information technology also came in to the horizon of geography. Credit goes to the department of Geography and also environmental concern was taken into syllabi in the department first of all in Northern India. The conceptual and methodological form of geography was revised in the last decade of 20th century in reference to the era of Liberalization and further Globalization. At present the department of geography has taken consideration of the environment, marketing and impact of globalization. Giving due weightage to these fact the syllabai of semester system has been framed out. After all the geography department of Gorakhpur University has raised the problems of social and economic development in its research dimension and in the way of study. The applied aspects of researches are focused in seeking the remedial actions in micro level ground truth of the rural areas. Thus the department has published more than 105 books & produced more than 292 Ph.D. theses, near about 623 research papers and has organized more than 35 Seminars/Conferences, 18 Refresher Courses and Training Courses which all have based on the local socio economic problems and inviting conceptual development of geography.
Seminar/Symposia Organized by the Department
(1971) Symposium of College Geography Teachers of Eastern U.P. on Development in Geography
(1972) National Seminar on Teaching and Research Methods in Geography.
(1983) Role of Geography in the Management of Rural Environment - Silver Jubilee Seminar, 18-19 March.
(1985) International Conference on Commercial Activity and Rural Development in South Asia, December 21-23.
(1990) Role of Commercial Activities in Economic Development of Ganga Basin, January. 1990.
(1990) Problems of Urbanisation in Eastern U.P. July 30-31.
(1991) International Conference on Environmental Challenge and Commercial System, January 27-29.
(1992) National Conference of I.I.G, February 21-23.
(1993) National Workshop on Commercial Activity and Ecologically Sustainable Development March 27-28.
(1993) Earth day Symposium of IRED., April 22-23.
(1994) Human Ecology, Environment and Quality of life. March 16-18.
(1994) Symposia on Population and Quality of Life December 17-18.
(1995) I.G.U. International Conference on Commercial Activities and Regional Development, organized by Department of Geography, University of Gorakhpur, Gorakhpur held at New Delhi from 23-26 March, 1995.
(1996) Workshop on Sustainable land use Oct 24-25.
(1997) 5th Prithvi Parv Sammelan of IRED., February 11-12
(1998) 50 Years of Urbanisation in India. March 26-27.
(1998) Indian Geography Congress of NAGI., December 28-30.
(2001) National Seminar on Environment, Development & Quality of Life, February 24-26.
(2003) 11th I.R.E.D. Conference on Integrated Waste Land Management, March 6-7, 2003.
(2005) Prithvi Parva Seminar, Gorakhpur.
(2006) 14th I.R.E.D. Seminar on Information Technology, Agricultural Diversification and Rural Development, February 2006.
(2009) 16th I.R.E.D. National Seminar on Land and Water Management for Food Security in India, from 8-9 February 2009.
(2010) Golden Jubilee National Seminar on Management of Land Water Resources for Sustainable Development with Special Reference to Eastern U.P., February 20-21, 2010.
(2010) National Conference on Environment, Technology and Sustainable Development in India, 12-14 November, 2010.
(2011) National Seminar on Population Growth and Regional Development in Uttar Pradesh, February 12-13, 2011.
(2011) National Conference on Environment, Agriculture and Population Growth in India, 26-28 December, 2011.
(2012) I.R.E.D. National Seminar on Demographic Change, Employment Security and Environmental Susceptibility, 29-30 January, 2012.
(2013) National Conference on Technological Innovation, Resource Utilization and Environmental Crisis in India, 01-03 February, 2013.
(2015) Land use in Perspective of Eco-development with the Spatial Reference - Eastern U.P., India, 18-20 November.
(2015) Dynamics of Population & Development, 2 8 February & 01 March.
(2017) Geospatial Technology & Regional Development, 18-19 February.
(2017) Silver Jubilee IRED Prithvi Parva - National Seminar on A Blueprint of Sustainable Development for Purvanchal, U.P., 2 6-2 8 November.
(2018) National Seminar on Geographical Personality of India and National Security, 04-05 March.
(2019) National Workshop on "Environmental Hazards Livlihood Issues & Resilience in Agrarian Socities", 02-03 February.
(2019) International Symposium on “Environment, Sustainability, Law and Cultural Landscape of Asia”, 17-19, October.
Summer Schools & Refresher Courses
I. Summer School “Recent Trends in Geography”, 1978 , Convener- Prof. Ujagir Singh
II. Refresher Course in Geography
“Concept & Methods in Geography” Convener- Prof. J. Singh, 1981
III. Refresher Course in Geography
“Paradigm Shift in geography”, Convener- Prof. J. Singh., 1990
IV Refresher Course in Geography, July 14 – August 2, 1997
“Perspectives in Themes and Methods of Geography”
Convener- Prof. V.K. Shivastava, Dr. S.K. Dikshit, Dr. P.R. Chauhan
V. Refresher Course in Geography, August 1 – August 21, 2002
“Changing Nature of Geographical Studies and Application of G.I.S. in Geography”
Convener- Prof. Hira Lal Yadav
VI. Refresher Course in Geography, December 6-26, 2003
“Recent Concepts & Methods in Geography”
Convener- Prof. P.R. Chauhan
VII. Refresher Course in Geography, Jan. 29 – Feb. 18, 2005
“Paradigm Shift and Recent Trends in Geography”
Convener- Prof. S.K. Dikshit
VIII. Refresher Course in Geography, December 2-22, 2006
“Geography in 21st Century”
Convener- Prof. P.R. Chauhan
IX. DST Training Course on Application of Remote Sensing, GIS and GPS in
Natural Resource Planning and Management” 2006
Coordinator - Prof. S.S. Verma
X. Refresher Course in Geography, 15 December 2007 – 4 January 2008
“Contemporary Issues in Geography”
Convener- Prof. Nutan Tyagi
XI. DST Training Course on Application of Geomatics in Natural Resource Appraisal and Management” Organised by the Department during 15th September to 4th October, 2008.
Coordinator - Prof. S.S. Verma
XII. Refresher Course in Geography, 23 December 2008 – 12 January 2009
“Trends in Modern Geography”
Convener- Prof. P.R. Chauhan
XIII. Refresher Course in Geography, January 08-28, 2011
“Perspective in Environmental Studies”
Convener – Prof. S.K. Dikshit
XIV. DST Training Course on Geospacial Tecnology and Application, in Natural Resource Data Management” 17 Sepember to 06 October 2012
Coordinator - Prof. Nutan Tyagi
XV. Refresher Course in Geography, 16 November to 06 December 2012
“Immersing Issues in Geography”
Convener- Prof. K.N. Singh
XVI. Refresher Course in Geography, 4th Sept. - 24th Sept., 2014, “Contemporary Issues in Geography”
Convener - Dr. S.K. Singh.
XVII. Refresher Course in Geography, 08-28 Feb., 2019, "Emerging Trends and Challenges in Geographical Research"
Convener - Prof. N.K. Rana.
XVIII. Refresher Course in Geography, 26th March – 08 April 2021, “Research Methods and Techniques in Geographical Research”
Convener – Prof. S.K. Singh.
XIX. Refresher Course in Geography, 30th January – 12 February 2024, “Emerging Trends and New Dimension of Research Methods in Geography”
Convener – Prof. S.K. Singh.