CSIR-IHBT, a constituent laboratory of CSIR India, is located at the picturesque town of Palampur perched in the lap of majestic snow clad mountain of Dhauladhar. Govt. of Himachal Pradesh took up initiative in early seventies to set up a CSIR lab to make prudential use of the natural resources of the region. After several levels of discussions a formal request was made by then Chief Minister of HP to Vice President, CSIR in 1982 for initiating the matter, and giving final shape to the proposal. The dream of HP government finally came true in 1983 when the foundation stone of this National lab was laid as CSIR Complex Palampur by Prof. Nurul Hasan, former Vice President of CSIR, with then Chief Minister of HP chairing the function.