India's largest open air furnace opened in Uttarakhand

·         India's largest open-air furnace has been inaugurated in Ranikhet, Uttarakhand.

·         The new center will serve the twin purpose of 'conserving fern species as well as creating awareness about their ecological role' and promoting further research.

·         The fern is home to a large number of fern species, some of which are endemic to the state, some have medicinal value while some are threatened species that demand care and protection.

Important facts

About Uttarakhand

v  Founded: 9 November 2000;

v  Governor: Lt Gen Gurmeet Singh;

v  Chief Minister: Pushkar Singh Dhami;

v  Capitals: Dehradun (Winter), Gairsain (Summer).