3 Jan, 2024: A three days Training Workshop on “Plant Identification and Nomenclature” for the Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers nominated by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Govt. of India, New Delhi was organized in Botanical Survey of India w.e.f. 3rd–5th January, 2024 at the Central National Herbarium. The objectives of the training program includes understanding the basics of plant identification and biodiversity in a taxonomic context; learning tools and techniques for naming of a plant; to understand the biodiversity, the policies, challenges and the future prospective; a field-based interactive session and a walk-through nature trail in AJCBIBG and Plants in Human wellbeing. The workshop will also include an interactive panel discussion on “Improvement in the working of forest departments: Need for career development through training and improvement of skills.”
In its inaugural session, Dr A.A. Mao, Director, BSI & Course Director of the program welcomed all the participants and reflected on the importance of databasing of biodiversity components for sustainable utilization of bioresources. Dr S.S. Dash, Scientist-F & Course Co-ordinator and In-Charge, Technical Section, BSI HQ while briefing about the workshop said that knowledge on plant taxonomy and identification is essential to any research on plant science. The science of plant taxonomy not only bestowed with descriptions and classifications of species but also plays a fundamental role in assessing and conserving biodiversity. Shri Niraj Singhal, PCCF & Head of Forest Force, West Bengal who graced the occasion as Chief Guest addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of plant identification and nomenclature in biodiversity conservation. He called upon the Forest officers to actively engage in the technical sessions as guardian of the forests and provide feedbacks and ideas for better monitoring, evaluation and assessment of forest flora during the interactive sessions. Dr R.K. Gupta, Scientist-E & Head of Office, Central National Herbarium delivered the Vote of Thanks at the end of the inaugural session.
The three days training workshop will deal with the general floristic vis-à-vis herbarium collection of BSI, Plant sustainability and role of plants in bio-economy. The program will also throw light on different activities of Mission LiFE. A walk through the legacy of BSI, Nature Trails in Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden has also been scheduled in the program.
The program was attended by 14 IFS officers from different levels from almost 08 states. It is expected that training program of this kind pave a way for more collaborations, Dr S.S. Dash said.
