Report on three days’ National Level Workshop on
‘Plants/Fungi Collection, Identification, Nomenclature, and Botanical Illustrations’
A three days’ National Level Workshop on ‘Plants/Fungi Collection, Identification, Nomenclature, and Botanical Illustrations’ was organised by the EIACP Programme Centre, Botanical Survey of India and Central National Herbarium, Howrah in collaboration with Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University (DSPMU), Ranchi, Jharkhand during 11th to 13th December 2023. The programme was inaugurated by lamp lightening and inaugural speech by the Chief Guest, Dr. A.A. Mao, Director, Botanical Survey of India. He addressed about traditional and modern prospects of plant sciences, bio-economy and various career options in Botany beyond academics and research such as, start-ups and entrepreneurship. Prof. Dr. Tapan Kumar Shandilya, Vice Chancellor, DSPMU, highlighted the importance of Plant Taxonomy and Biodiversity for sustainable development and its role in the green economy. Dr. Namita Singh, Registrar, DSPMU, stressed the significance of organizing regular workshops, conferences, and seminars for the benefit of students.
The workshop spearheaded by a team of ten distinguished Scientists and Resource Persons i.e. Dr. J. Jayanthi, Scientist ‘F’, Hqrs., BSI, Dr. Jeewan Singh Jalal, Scientist ‘E’, Hqrs., BSI & Project Coordinator, BSI EIACP PC RP, Dr. R.K. Gupta, Scientist ‘E’ & HoO, CNH, BSI, Dr. Devendra Singh, Scientist ‘E’ & HoO, AJCB Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah, Dr. Gopal Krishna, Scientist ‘C’, Hqrs., BSI, Dr. Manoj E. Hembrom Scientist ‘C’, AJCBIBG, BSI, BSI, Mrs. Ruma Bhadra, Senior Preservation Assistant, CNH, BSI, Sri Dineshwar Kumar Sah, Artist, BSI, Dr. Aniket Ghosh NPDF, BSI and Mr. Nasim Ali JRF form the Botanical Survey of India and EIACP aimed at advancing knowledge in essential aspects of plant science. With a focus on plant collection, identification, classification, orchid exploration, plant nomenclature, and botanical illustrations, the workshop drew the participation of 65 attendees from various universities in Jharkhand and Bihar.
After the inaugural session, the technical session was started with an interactive session by Dr. A.A. Mao, Director, BSI with the participants, research scholars, and students of the Department of Botany, DSPMU and also delivered a lecture on ‘Plant Diversity in India’ and ‘Role of Botanical Survey of India’. After that Dr. R.K. Gupta, Scientist E, BSI, delivered a lecture on ‘Identification of Algae in India’. In the post lunch session Dr. Hembrom, Scientist ‘C’, BSI and Dr. Aniket Ghosh NPDF, BSI, led the sessions on the ‘Identification of Macrofungi (Mushrooms) including Morphotaxonomy and Molecular Phylogeny’ and followed by the practical demonstration. After this lecture, Dr. Devendra Singh Scientist E, BSI and Sk. Nasim Ali, JRF provided theory as well as practical lesson on ‘Identification of Bryophytes’ very lucidly in front of the participants. On both the lectures the students actively interacted with the resource persons during the presentations.
On the second day i.e. on 12th December 2023, Dr. J. Jayanthi, Scientist ‘F’ delivered a lecture on basics of plant identification, field characters of some important families and identification of plant with help of regional flora. After this lecture Mrs. Ruma Bhadra, Senior Preservation Assistant shared her expertise on Grass identification and demonstrated the important identification characters of family Poaceae. Dr. J.S. Jalal, Scientist ‘E’ & In-Charge EIACP PC-RP on Biodiversity (Flora) delivered a lecture on exploration and orchid identification in Jharkhand and Bihar region, focusing on key characteristics of this intricate group and addressing the challenges faced during identification of certain species. After the lunch break Dr. Gopal Krishna, Scientist ‘C’ explained the fundamentals of plant nomenclature citing different examples and making complicated topics very simplified, clearing every doubts.
Day three i.e. 13th December 2023, Dr. Jayanthi, Dr. Gopal and Mrs. Bhadra gave hands-on outdoor training for the collection of plant specimens in the field, followed by their identification, and training on preservation techniques. Sri Dineshwar Kumar Sah, Artist, BSI, an expert in botanical illustrations taught to make sketches of plants and plant parts, techniques for capturing best-quality photographs for research purposes. During the three days workshops all the participants were involved sincerely. This programme was great for brainstorming, interactive learning, building relationships and problem solving. Workshops were carried out with immaculate management and patience.
Additionally, Dr. J.S. Jalal handed over more than 45 EIACP PC-RP publications (including Books, Newsletters, Bibliography & Abstracts, Brochures, Pamphlets etc.) to the Botany Department, DSPM University, Ranchi which are going to enrich the information resources of the university and will certainly be a great support to the researchers working in the field of biological sciences.
