Hyderabad: Botanical Survey of India centre functions from cramped space

Hyderabad: "A Botanical Survey of India office in Hyderabad?" is a common refrain at the mention of plight of BSI's regional centre in the city. Thanks to apathy from all fronts, many people wonder if there is one at all in their midst. Of course, it does – albeit in a small-cramped apartment-like office on the third floor of the Central Government Office building in Sultan Bazaar.

An office manned by experts in the field of biological diversity is confined to a nondescript location, despite the immense potential of its services to help revive and boost rich eco systems in the Deccan region. Its activities span three States – Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana.

A herbarium is the lifeline of any botanical survey office and ample open space is a must; however, the Deccan Regional Centre (DRC) of Botanical Survey of India (BSI) in the city has been experiencing severe dearth of space to carry out its activities that are crucial to boost biodiversity.

The primary mandate of DRC is to survey and document the floristic diversity of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana states. But, lack of a proper campus is hampering the DRC activities in many ways. For instance, hundreds of pharmacy students need to get authentication of plants and need to obtain training. A constraint of space is hitting DRC badly.

Processing of herbarium specimen is a major activity that needs a lot of space. As part of the work, fumigation needs to be done once in six months and the place needs to be cordoned and shut. With little space available, this is hardly realised to its full potential, rue the officials at the DRC, Hyderabad.

Running from pillar to post Ever since the DRC was set up in 2006 in the city, it has been saddled with the problem of space. In the first two years, it operated from the Pollution Control Board (PCB) office in Sanatnagar. From 2008 December till 2019 February, it functioned from the Zoological Survey of India office at Attapur.

Towards fulfilling the global strategy for plant conservation target on ex-situ conservation, there are 12 botanical gardens spread in different biogeographical zones of the country. The gardens hold more than 1.5 lakh live plant collections including many important commercial potential plant groups such as Zingibers, Rattans, Bamboos, and Orchids. A large number of medicinal and aromatic plants have also been introduced in botanic gardens particularly in Port Blair, Yercaud and Shillong.

In contrast, repeated attempts to acquire land to set up research facility have failed in Hyderabad with both the erstwhile AP government and the Telangana government insisting on market price for any land parcel sought. A senior officer deplored: "There was a time when State Governments would be more than ready to part with land for a token price to woo central government research institutions. It is no longer the case." It may be noted here that the DRC was allotted two acres land near DFO Flying Squad near Attapur, but the State government reportedly demanded market price which came up to Rs 14 crore.

Primary Functions of BSI

• To undertake intensive floristic surveys and collect accurate and detailed information on the occurrence, distribution, ecology and economic utility of plants in the country

• To collect, identify and distribute materials which may be of use to educational and research institutions

• To act as a custodian of authentic collections in well planned herbaria and to document the plant resources in the form of local, district, state and national flora

The primary mandate of Deccan Regional Centre of BSI is to survey and document the floristic diversity of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Telangana states. But, lack of a proper campus is hampering the DRC activities in many ways

Failed attempts for a campus

• In 2008-09, five acres of land was allotted in Hyderabad Central University but it did not materialise for several reasons

• A few years ago, two acres near Attapur too could not be bought as the CCLA rejected the offer by the MoEF at a token price

• Presently, DRC is functioning from a small office in the third floor at CGO in Sultan Bazaar