Botanical Survey of India has celebrated its 134th Foundation Day during 13-14 February, 2023 at ‘Bhasha Bhawan’, National Library Campus, Kolkata. To commemorate this important day, a two days International Symposium on Plant Taxonomy, Ethnobotany and Botanic Gardens was organized. Honourable Union Cabinet Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupinder Yadav has graced the occasion on 14th of this month and interacted with the Scientists, professors, students and participants. During the Inaugural session on 13th, two publications from BSI [The genus Calanthe R.Br. (Orchidaceae) in India; The Flora of Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, India] were released by the dignitaries on the dais. On 14 February, the Hon’ble Minister also released three books published by BSI [Mangroves of India – A Pictorial Field Guide; Flora of India, Volume 24; Rhododendrons of Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalaya] and two books published by Zoological Survey of India [Morpho Taxonomic Studies of Syrphid Pollinators (Insecta: Diptera) from Lesser Himalayas; Malacofauna of Pennera River Estuary, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh]. The Hon’ble Minister released the books in presence of Namita Prasad, Hon’ble Joint Secretary, MoEF&CC; Dr. Dhriti Banerjee, Director, Zoological Survey of India; and Dr. A.A. Mao, Director, Botanical Survey of India. While congratulating the BSI on its foundation day, the Hon’ble Minister also appreciated the research activities and publications of BSI and commended the efforts of BSI for documentation and conservation of country’s rich floristic wealth. In his address, the Hon’ble Minister highlighted the success stories of BSI during the past 133 years of journey and emphasized the importance of plant taxonomy in fixing the identity of plants and how taxonomy as a specialized branch of science can contribute in developing identification standards which in turn would be useful in conservation, bioprospection and sustainable utilization of our floristic resource. The Hon’ble Minister has urged everyone to follow and imbibe the message of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ by healing the earth, creating harmony with the nature and develop hope for the future. He also highlighted the efforts of Government of India in bringing back Cheetahs to India and in increasing Leopard population in the country. The importance of recording the traditional knowledge associated with plants was mentioned in his address and so also the role of Botanic Gardens in ex-situ conservation and outreach activities. He urged everyone to focus on collaborative studies and follow the wisdom of convergence between institutes of similar mandates and activities. While appreciating the achievements of BSI on the field of documenting floristic diversity of the country, the Hon’ble Minister encouraged the scientific fraternity to make India as ‘Viswaguru’ and achieve the ‘Panch Pran’ concept of our Hon’ble Prime Minister during the next 25 years which has been termed as ‘Amrit Kaal’ to celebrate the Centenary of India’s independence. The Organising Secretary Dr.S.S.Dash informed that more than 400 delegates from India and different countries had participated in the symposium and deliberated on their respective field of research. They also shared the research results in this common platform so that everyone would be remained updated in the field of plant science research. During the symposium, BSI used electric vehicles to contain carbon emissions and promote the use of electric vehicles under the NITI AYOG eAmrit initiative and Mission LIFE.
