About the Journal

Welcome to Vat-Vriksha

Vat-Vriksha is a peer-reviewed , open-access academic journal committed to advancing high-quality research primarily in Zoology and broadly across the Life Sciences.

Launched in 2025, the journal seeks to provide a rigorous scholarly platform that integrates classical biological knowledge with modern scientific inquiry, addressing contemporary global challenges related to biodiversity, environment, conservation, sustainability, and human–nature relationships.

Mission

The mission of Vat-Vriksha is to promote high-quality, ethical, and impactful research in Zoology and Life Sciences by providing a transparent, rigorous, and inclusive peer-reviewed publishing platform that supports scientific integrity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and global knowledge dissemination.

Vision

The vision of Vat-Vriksha is to emerge as a globally recognized academic journal rooted in scientific excellence, sustainability, and inclusive knowledge traditions, fostering research that contributes meaningfully to biodiversity conservation and advancement of life sciences.

Aims and Scope

  • To advance and disseminate high-quality, peer-reviewed research in Zoology and the broader Life Sciences.
  • The journal welcomes original research articles, reviews, short communications, and case studies in key areas such as:
    • Animal taxonomy and systematics
    • Ecology, behaviour, and conservation biology
    • Herpetology, ornithology, and mammalogy
    • Parasitology, reproductive biology, and toxicology
    • Comparative anatomy, genetics, and evolutionary biology
    • Aquatic biology, biodiversity informatics, and bioresources
  • To encourage interdisciplinary research integrating zoological sciences with ethnobiology, environmental science, biotechnology, climate change studies, and sustainability research.
  • While prioritising research relevant to the Indian subcontinent, contributions from all geographical regions are welcomed.
  • All manuscripts undergo a rigorous double-blind peer-review process to ensure scientific integrity, originality, and thematic relevance.

Types of Contributions

  • Original Research Articles
  • Review Articles
  • Short Communications
  • Case Studies
  • Policy Briefs and Commentaries
  • Field Notes and Observational Reports

Editorial and Review Policy

  • Double-blind peer review by at least two subject-matter experts
  • Initial editorial screening for scope relevance, plagiarism, and formatting
  • Strict evaluation criteria for novelty, validity, ethics, and clarity

Open Access Policy

Vat-Vriksha is a fully open-access journal licensed under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. All articles receive a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) and are freely accessible.

Rationale Behind the Name “Vat-Vriksha”

The journal is named Vat-Vriksha after the banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis), which holds a central place in the philosophical, ecological, and knowledge traditions of Sanātana Dharma. In this tradition, the banyan tree is not viewed merely as a botanical entity, but as a living representation of continuity, stability, and the interdependence of life. Its longevity, expansive canopy, and self-sustaining growth make it an enduring symbol of rooted wisdom and sustainable existence.

Classical Indian philosophical texts employ the imagery of the Aśvattha tree to explain the structure of existence and the transmission of knowledge across generations. The description of the cosmic tree in the Bhagavad Gītā (Chapter 15) presents knowledge as originating from foundational principles and extending outward into diverse expressions of life and experience. This framework closely reflects the journal’s academic philosophy: scholarship grounded in fundamental biological science, extending into multiple disciplines within zoology and life sciences.

Historically, the Vat-Vriksha functioned as a recognised space for learning, reflection, and collective discourse. Teachers, scholars, and community leaders traditionally conducted instruction and discussion beneath banyan trees, which served as open and inclusive centres of education. By adopting this name, the journal aligns itself with this long-standing tradition of accessible learning, intellectual dialogue, and intergenerational transfer of knowledge.

Within Sanātana philosophical thought, the banyan tree is closely associated with preservation and continuity. The imagery of the banyan leaf as a refuge for life during periods of transformation symbolises resilience and renewal. This perspective resonates with the journal’s commitment to preserving scientific knowledge, encouraging innovation, and supporting research continuity in the face of environmental and societal change.

From an ecological standpoint, the Vat-Vriksha is recognised as a keystone species supporting a complex network of organisms, including birds, insects, mammals, epiphytes, and microorganisms. Its aerial roots and extensive canopy create stable microhabitats that sustain biodiversity over long periods. This ecological interconnectedness mirrors the interdisciplinary approach of the journal, which actively promotes integrative research across zoology, ecology, biotechnology, environmental science, and conservation biology.

Sanātana Dharma also articulates an early framework of environmental ethics through concepts such as ṛta (cosmic order) and dharma (responsible conduct). These principles emphasise harmony between humans and the natural world, responsible stewardship of biological resources, and respect for all forms of life. The journal’s adoption of the name Vat-Vriksha reflects a commitment to these values, encouraging ethical research practices, sustainability-oriented science, and long-term ecological responsibility.

It is important to note that Sanātana Dharma is an indigenous and regionally rooted knowledge system that evolved within the Indian subcontinent over millennia. Its philosophical, ecological, and ethical frameworks are closely tied to the subcontinent’s geography, biodiversity, and cultural landscape. This endemic relationship between place, nature, and knowledge informs the journal’s focus on regionally relevant research from India while maintaining openness to global scientific exchange.

Thus, the name Vat-Vriksha symbolises a scholarly platform where knowledge is deeply rooted, ethically guided, and continuously expanding. It represents continuity of thought, inclusivity of ideas, and a commitment to sustaining scientific inquiry for present and future generations.