1  (b) (i)    India (BSI) and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

 

1.            Botanical Survey of India (BSI)

 

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is the apex research organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country. It was established on 13th February, 1890 with the basic objective to explore the plant resources of the country and to identify the plants species with economic virtues. The Botanical Survey of India has the nine regional circles situated at different regions of the country. The following are the activities being carried out by the BSI:

 

PRIMARY:

·        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/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 a National database of Indian plants, including herbarium and live specimens, botanical paintings/illustrations, etc.

 

SECONDARY:

  • Revisionary/Monographic studies on selected plant groups.
  • Qualitative analysis of nutritive value of ethno-food plants and other economically useful species.
  • Capacity building in plant taxonomy through refresher courses and post M.Sc. certificate course.
  • Environment Impact Assessment of areas assigned by the ministry.
  • Develop and maintain Botanical Gardens, Museums and Herbaria.
  • Preparation of Seed, Pollen and Spore Atlas of Indian Plants.

 

The detailed information about BSI is available at http://envfor.nic.in/bsi

2.         Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

 

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Environment and Forests was established in 1916 as a national centre for faunistic survey and exploration of the resources leading to the advancement of knowledge on the exceptionally rich faunal diversity of the country. ZSI has its headquarters at Kolkata and 16 regional stations located in different geographic locations of the country. The following are the activities being carried out by the ZSI:

 

Activities:

 

ZSI, in recent years, has reoriented its plan to work by grouping the survey and studies under five major programmes as follows:

 

a)      Study of the fauna of states

b)      Fauna of conservation areas

c)      Fauna of important ecosystems

d)      Status survey of endangered species

e)      Fauna of India and

f)        Ecological Studies & Environmental impact assessments.

 

ZSI further provides:

 

a)      Identification & Advisory Services,

b)      Training & Extension Services in the field of animal taxonomy and faunistic surveys,

c)      Library facilities and

d)      Presentation & Publication of Research work in journals and books.

 

 

 

The detailed information about ZSI is available at http://envfor.nic.in/zsi