Botanical Survey of India inks MoU with UK's Natural History Museum

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and UK’s Natural History Museum (NHM) have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in field of genetic and taxonomic studies, research and training, conservation in India, including species and habitat conservation assessments.

Objectives of MoU

• Open up mediums of collaboration in science, support further research and boost scientific study for benefit of both India and UK.
• Help both nations keep up with their commitment to use scientific evidence to support goals of Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES and Nagoya Protocol.
• Capacity building and scientific exchanges between two nations and learn from each other and work collaboratively to address important scientific questions and deliver benefit to humanity.

Significance of MoU

It will pave way for BSI staff to work in NHM and for staff there to work in BSI.  It will enable exchange of knowledge and information between two esteemed research organisations. Both organisations will be able to share fairly benefits that may arise from collection, study and conservation of plant materials such as seeds, herbarium specimens and tissue samples and exchange associated data and images. NHM will also help BSI in capacity building in areas of systematic botany and long-term conservation of plant genetic resources in India.

Botanical Survey of India (BSI)

BSI is the apex research organization under Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEFCC) for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of country. It was established in 1890 with objective to explore plant resources of country and to identify plants species with economic virtues. It has nine regional circles situated at different regions of the country.

Primary functions of BSI

• Exploration, inventorying and documentation of phytodiversity in general and protected areas, hotspots and fragile ecosystems in particular
• Publication of National, State and District Floras.
• Identification of threatened and red list species and species rich areas needing conservation.
• Ex-situ conservation of critically threatened species in botanical gardens.
• Survey and documentation of traditional knowledge (ethno-botany) associated with plants.
• Develop National database of Indian plants, including herbarium and live specimens, botanical paintings and illustrations, etc.

Month: Current Affairs - February, 2018