3 days ago
Built on 2-acre plot: Living plant library set to bloom in Shibpur
In a major boost to botanical research and education, the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanical Garden in Shibpur, in Howrah, is set to unveil the country's first dedicated Plant Taxonomy Section; an unique living encyclopaedia of India's plant diversity.
This space, built over two acres, is set to function as a living library of plants. It is designed to be accessible to anyone who wants to learn more about how important the planet's biodiversity is and how plants are related and classified.
What sets it apart is its public accessibility and interactive design; each plant will feature a QR code, allowing visitors to instantly access information on its lineage, origin, and conservation status. This will improve plant record-keeping and enhance both research and public education, allowing visitors to instantly access detailed information about its taxonomy, origin, and conservation status.
It is set to be inaugurated in the next few months and will serve as a singular hub for researchers and academicians to delve into the vast world of plant classification and its vital role in biodiversity conservation.
The new section will showcase 175 families of flowering plants (Phanerogams) including 143 Dicotyledons, 3 Gymnosperms, and 29 Monocotyledons, along with five special blocks of Cryptogams such as Algae, Fungi, Lichens, Bryophytes, and Pteridophytes. The display will follow the 'Natural System of Classification' developed by George Bentham and J.D. Hooker. 'This Plant Taxonomy Section is a monumental step forward for botanical research and education in India,' stated Dr Devendra Singh, joint director of Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden. He added that by leveraging new tools and technologies, they are set to make important contributions to plant conservation, research, and education.
'It's the first of its kind in the country, providing a centralized location where researchers can gain a clear understanding of living plant representatives, including numerous rare, endemic, and threatened species, all organized according to the Classification System. We believe it will significantly advance our knowledge and conservation efforts,' an official explained.
The botanical gardens play a vital global role in plant conservation, education, and research. Officials at the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden emphasized that ' 'accurate taxonomy is the backbone of plant management', helping label species correctly, inform visitors, and support long-term conservation.
Sweety Kumari reports from West Bengal for The Indian Express. She is a journalist with over a decade of experience in the media industry. Covers Crime, Defence, Health , Politics etc and writes on trending topics.
With a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories. She has honed her craft across diverse beats including aviation, health, incidents etc. Sweety delivers impactful journalism that informs and engages audiences.
Sweety Kumari is a graduate of Calcutta University with an Honors degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College and a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Originally from Bihar, she is brought up in Kolkata and completed her education from Kendriya Vidyalaya SaltLake. Multilingual, Sweety is fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili. She started her career as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a newsportal in Kolkata. She is working with The Indian Express for 8 years now. ... Read More
