Research on India's wealth of plant diversity has a long tradition, dating from the late 18th century when the Botanical Survey of India was founded. However, the creation of a national botanical gardens network as a country-wide mechanism to share expertise and coordinate action has been faltering, in part because of limited human and financial resources. Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) has been supporting plant conservation and botanical gardens in India since its establishment in 1987. Of 119 Indian botanical gardens listed in BGCI's GardenSearch database, 20 are active members of BGCI and five are engaged in practical conservation projects supported by BGCI. Acknowledging the need to conserve threatened plants, BGCI members in India convened at Auroville Botanical Gardens on 10–12 October 2023 to revitalize a national botanical gardens network.
The meeting, attended by representatives from all BGCI member institutions in India and other invited organizations, involved 35 attendees from 19 organizations. Notable participating organizations included Mahatma Gandhi Botanical Garden GKVK, Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, Naroji Godrej Centre for Plant Research, French Institute of Pondicherry, The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore International Airport Limited, Keystone Foundation and National Institute of Sow Rigpa. The principal aim of the meeting was to explore the potential and opportunities for establishing a network of botanical gardens in India, and to consider how the resources and skills of the gardens could lead to better conservation.
Participants outlined actions for networking, including listing and mapping all Indian botanical gardens, updating institutional details in BGCI's GardenSearch and PlantSearch databases, and establishing a mailing list. Strategies for future meetings, collaboration, sharing institutional plant lists, germplasm and technical resources, and developing staff skills, experience and knowledge were highlighted.
BGCI committed to mentoring and supporting the network's development, with an emphasis on resource mobilization once the working practices of the network are established. Members of the national network were encouraged to join BGCI's membership and accreditation schemes, to become part of the global botanic garden community. Future opportunities for the network include developing accredited courses, joint publications, staff exchange, sharing successful conservation and education approaches, and influencing policy through shared knowledge. The participants also highlighted other potential areas for collective engagement, emphasizing interactions with diverse stakeholders, the role of gardens in promoting understanding of native species and ecological habitats, and participation in ecological restoration initiatives. In the first instance, the network secretariat will be based at Auroville Botanical Gardens.
The inception of the Indian Botanical Gardens Network marks an important step towards collaboration, a cornerstone in the sustainable conservation of India's diverse plant life.
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