NEWS – Horticulture Department Plants the Seed for an Herbarium at Lalbagh

WHAT IS AN HERBARIUM – A herbarium   is a collection of preserved plant specimens and associated data used for scientific study

OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT

• The Horticulture Department is developing a herbarium at Lalbagh Botanical Garden.
• The herbarium will document the taxonomy of every species of tree and plant in Lalbagh, making the information digitally accessible within a year.

DETAILS OF THE HERBARIUM

• Scientific Documentation:
  • Components: The herbarium involves the scientific documentation of leaves, fruits, flowers, and bark in their dried forms.
  • Presentation: These samples will be mounted on herbarium sheets along with taxonomical information.
• Equipment: Herbarium racks have been procured from Lucknow for this purpose.

BENEFITS AND USAGE

• Educational Resource: The herbarium will benefit students, botanists, taxonomists, environmentalists, and other flora enthusiasts.
• Practical Application:
  • Example: Researchers can study a particular tree or flower even when it is not in the flowering season by accessing the documented samples.
• Technological Integration: The herbarium will be quite hi-tech, facilitating easy access to detailed information.

ADDITIONAL GOALS

• Record Keeping: This documentation will help maintain records of existing species and determine the age of trees, especially those at risk due to weather factors.
• Future Publications: The Horticulture Department plans to publish a series of books titled “Plant Wealth of Lalbagh,” including:
  • Trees of Lalbagh
  • Climbers of Lalbagh
  • Creepers of Lalbagh
• Content: These books will feature images of plants and provide information on their origin, medicinal values, age, and other taxonomic details

LALBHAG

• Location: Bangalore, India
• Managed by Karnataka horticulture department
• Significance: A renowned botanical garden with a rich history spanning over 200 years
• Foundation: Commissioned by Hyder Ali in 1760 and completed by his son, Tipu Sultan
• Design Influence: Modeled on Mughal Gardens, particularly those in Sira
• Early Management: Initially managed by Mohammed Ali and Abdul Khader
• British Era: Post-British conquest of Mysore in 1799, managed by various British officers and later by the Mysore Government
• Glass House: Built in 1890-91, modeled on London’s Crystal Palace
• Floral and Faunal Introductions: Included economic plants like Cinchona and coffee, ornamental plants like bougainvilleas
• Lawn-Clock and Rare Plants Collection: Acquired India’s first lawn-clock and the subcontinent’s largest collection of rare plants

Modern Developments

• Current Size: 240 acres
• Plant Species: Hosts over 1,000 species of plants, many centuries old
• Annual Flower Shows: Held during Republic Day and Independence Day weeks
• Wildlife: Home to numerous bird species and other wildlife

Major Attractions

• Kempegowda’s Watchtower: Located on a large rock adjoining the garden
• Geological Monument: Peninsular gneiss formation dating back 3,000 million years
• Tourist and Educational Value: Popular for its historical significance, botanical diversity, and educational tours

Preservation Efforts

• Preservation Act, 1979: Passed to maintain the uniqueness and ecological balance of the park under the Karnataka Government Park (Preservation) Act, 1975