The Department of Botany organized a Botanical field excursion. A total of 20 PG 1st Sem students and 2 faculty members from the, Dept. of Botany NBBGC. Visited Botanical Survey of India, Sikkim Regional Centre on 11 November, 2023. The students along with faculty members assembled in the Institute at around 12 noon. The botanical field excursion to the Botanical Survey of India provided students with a valuable opportunity to enhance their understanding of Herbarium Techniques as per the syllabus. The excursion aimed to expose students to practical aspects of plant specimen collection, preservation, and documentation, fostering a deeper appreciation for the importance of herbaria in botanical research. The main objectives were A) to familiarize students with the process of collecting plant specimens in the field. B) to provide hands-on experience in plant specimen preparation and preservation techniques. C) To understand the significance of herbaria in botanical research and taxonomy.
Activities:
Field specimen collection: Students actively engaged in the collection of plant specimens within the institute. They learned proper techniques for identifying and ethically harvesting plant samples, emphasizing the importance of accurate labelling.
Herbarium Techniques: students gained practical insights into pressing and drying plant specimens, mounting them on herbarium sheets, and labelling with essential information such as scientific names, collection date, and habitat etc.
Introduction to Botanical Survey of India’s Herbarium: The botanical Survey of India’s herbarium served as an excellent resource for students. They had the opportunity to explore the herbarium’s vast collection, observe expertly curated specimens, and understand the organization system used for efficient retrieval.
Interaction with Botanists: Students had the privilege of interacting with experienced botanists at the Institute. This allowed them to seek guidance, ask questions, and gain valuable insights into the real-world application of herbarium techniques in botanical research.
Benefits:
Hands-on Learning: The excursion provided a hands-on learning experience, bringing the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Students developed skills that are essential for any aspiring botanist.
Enhanced Appreciation for Herbaria: By actively participating in herbarium techniques, students gained a deeper appreciation for the role of herbaria in preserving plant biodiversity, siding in taxonomic studies, and supporting scientific research.
Networking Opportunities: Interactions with botanists and researchers offered students networking opportunities and valuable insights into potential career paths within the field of botany.
Lastly, Dept. of Botany, NBBGC, Tadong is grateful towards Dr. Rajib Gogoi, Head In-charge, Botanical Survey of India, Sikkim Regional Centre for enhancing and encouraging the student’s botanical knowledge. We are also grateful towards Dr. Basant Singh, Field Expert, for enhancing students’ practical skills, a profound understanding of herbarium techniques. This experience undoubtedly contributed significantly to the students academic and professional development in the field of botany.
