Sri Vijaya Puram, Oct 22: The valedictory function of seven days training/workshop programme on Plant Taxonomy (Identification, Nomenclature and Herbarium Technique) for M.Sc. Botany students were organized in the Botanical Survey of India, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre. Dr. E. B. Chakurkar, Director ICAR- CIARI was the Chief Guest and Dr. Dipon Sharmah, Head of Department of Botany, JNRM was the Guest of Honour. Dr Chakurkar encouraged the trainees to gain skill in the taxonomic aspects. He emphasised the need for such a training programme as of today. Dr. Sharmah appreciated the activities of the Botanical Survey of India and said it is a unique type of training programme for Islander students. Addl. Director & Regional Head, Dr. Lal Singh, welcomed the gathering, briefed about the training activities conducted and in his address he wished all the trainees a fruitful and enriching future ahead. Seven days training programme was emphasized to impart technical skill on the floristic study specially identification, nomenclature and herbarium techniques on various groups of plants including Ethnobotany. A series of specialised lectures and hands-on training through demonstration both in laboratories and field especially in forested areas and Dhanikhari Experimental Garden cum Arboratum (DEGCA), Nayashahar of South Andaman were conducted. This Plant Taxonomy Programme was linked with conservation and focused on exploring different livelihood options.
Besides, 30 trainees, dignitaries from various organisations; Pondicherry University Brookshabad Campus, Atal Centre for Ocean Science & Technology for Islands-NIOT, Dept. Faculty members of Dept. Of Botany and Zoology, Jawahar Lal Nehru Rajkeeya Mahavidyalaya, Fisheries Survey of India, Anthropological Survey of India, Zoological Survey of India, Officers from Doordarshan and Akashwani and fellow scientists and staff from BSI attended. Valedictory function was concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Mahadevakumar S., Scientist C of BSI.
