Botanical Survey of India (BSI)

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is the premier research organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, dedicated to the systematic study of the country’s rich plant resources. It is responsible for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant species, documenting their diversity, distribution, and potential economic uses. The BSI also plays a critical role in biodiversity conservation, ecological research, and the management of national herbaria and botanic gardens.

Historical Background

The Botanical Survey of India was formally established on 13 February 1890, with the primary objective of exploring India’s vast plant wealth and identifying species of economic importance. Sir George King, Superintendent of the Royal Botanic Garden, Calcutta, became its first ex-officio Honorary Director.
Following India’s independence, the BSI was reorganised in 1954 to align with the country’s broader goals of scientific and ecological development. Its functional base was expanded to cover ecological studies, environmental impact assessments, endangered species conservation, and documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge.

Objectives and Functions

The main objectives of the BSI include:

• Exploration and documentation of the plant resources of India.
• Taxonomic studies for the identification and classification of plant species.
• Preparation of national and regional floras to catalogue plant diversity.
• Conservation of endangered species and development of strategies for their protection.
• Maintenance of herbaria and botanic gardens as repositories of biodiversity.
• Research in economic botany and ethnobotany, focusing on plants with medicinal and industrial value.
• Capacity building and training programmes for young taxonomists and environmental scientists.

Indian Botanic Garden

The Indian Botanic Garden, located in Howrah near Kolkata, is one of the oldest and most prestigious botanic gardens in the world.

• Establishment: Founded in 1787 by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kyd, initially as the East India Company’s Garden (popularly called Company Bagan).
• Development: Its 273-acre landscape was redesigned in 1872 under the supervision of Sir George King, who introduced artificial lakes, moats, and an underground irrigation system drawing water from the Hooghly River.
• Renaming: After independence, in 1950, it was renamed the Indian Botanic Garden. Since 1 January 1963, it has been under the management of the Botanical Survey of India.

The garden houses a wide range of tropical and subtropical plants, including rare and exotic species collected from across the world. It remains a major centre for botanical research, education, and public outreach.

The Great Banyan Tree

One of the most celebrated attractions of the Indian Botanic Garden is the Great Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis L.), believed to be around 260 years old.

• It has over 2,800 aerial roots spread across nearly 1.5 hectares, making it resemble a miniature forest.
• Despite the loss of its main trunk due to fungal infection in the 19th century, the tree continues to thrive and remains a living symbol of ecological resilience.

Central National Herbarium (CNH)

The Central National Herbarium, situated in Howrah, is among the oldest and largest herbaria in the world.

• Foundation: Established in 1795 by Dr William Roxburgh, often regarded as the “Father of Indian Botany”.
• Development: Under the stewardship of Dr Nathaniel Wallich (1815–1846), the herbarium grew significantly in size and scientific reputation.
• Collections: It preserves about 2.5 million herbarium sheets, covering nearly 350 families of plants arranged according to Bentham and Hooker’s classification system.
• Jurisdiction: The herbarium primarily covers botanical research and documentation in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand.

The CNH serves as a critical repository for plant specimens, supporting research in taxonomy, conservation, and ecological assessments.

Expansion and Regional Units

In addition to its headquarters in Kolkata, the BSI operates through a network of regional centres across India, each focusing on the flora of specific zones. These units contribute to comprehensive documentation of the country’s plant wealth, with emphasis on local floras, endemic species, and conservation efforts.
Some major regional centres include:

• Dehradun (Northern Regional Centre) – Himalayan flora.
• Jodhpur (Desert Regional Centre) – Arid-zone plant diversity.
• Itanagar (Eastern Regional Centre) – North-East biodiversity hotspots.
• Coimbatore (Southern Regional Centre) – Peninsular India’s flora.

Role in Biodiversity Conservation

The BSI contributes significantly to the National Biodiversity Action Plan, coordinating with international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Its efforts include:

• Red-listing of endangered species.
• Establishing conservation strategies for rare plants.
• Supporting biosphere reserves, national parks, and protected areas.
• Conducting environmental impact assessments.

Through extensive surveys, the BSI has documented over 20,000 species of flowering plants in India, making it an indispensable institution in biodiversity research and sustainable resource management.