Published on: May 17, 2024
HERBARIUM AT LALBAGH
HERBARIUM AT LALBAGH
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