About Botanical Survey of India

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is the apex research organisation under the aegis of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Govt. of India, with the mandate of carrying out taxonomic/floristic studies of Indian flora, collection & documentation of traditional knowledge associated with plants and carrying out ex-situ conservation of wild plant resources of the country. Established on 13th February 1890 under the Directorship of Sir George King, and latter reorganized in 1954 (after independence), under the leadership of Dr. E.K. Janaki Ammal; BSI has broadened its mandate in many folds over the years. Presently, Scientists of BSI are working on biosystematics research, taxonomic revisionary and floristic studies, documentation, databasing of National Botanical collection; digitization of herbarium specimens, molecular taxonomy of specialized groups of plants, threat assessment of plants, Mushrooms, Phycology, advisory services, and Capacity Building Training programs, etc. to meet the current aspirations of the country. Presently, the Botanical Survey of India is spread over 11 Regional Centres and 5 units, 9 Botanical Gardens, with its headquarters at Kolkata, West Bengal, India.