The Major Achievements of TBGRI At A Glance
- Developed a modern conservatory garden for ex-situ conservation of plants and scientific studies for sustainable utilization.
- Established large living collection of trees and woody lianas (1000 species); Medicinal, Aromatic and Spice plants (1500 species), Orchids (600 species and 150 hybrids); Bamboos (60 species); Rare and Threatened plants( 550 species); Ferns and Fern allies ( 165 species); Palms (105 species), Cyclades ( 35 species) and special groups like Zingibers ( 50 species), Bougainvillea, Aquatic plants, Insectivorous plants, Wild ornamentals, Wild Balsams, Jasmines, Begonias, Strobilanthes, Water lilies etc. for conservation, display and education. The living collections of trees, bamboos, orchids, Medicinal Aromatic and spice plants are the largest in South Asia.
- Established a National Gene Bank for Medicinal and aromatic plants including a Meristem Bank, Seed Bank, Cryo Bank and a Field Gene Bank under the aegis of the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.
- Discovered family Lembosiaceae, genus Xanthagaricus of foliicolous fungi.
- Discovered the genera Seidenfadeniella (2 species), Sivadasania (1 species) and over 100 species of flowering plants and discovered 40 species of flowering plants, believed to be extinct in the wild.
- Undertaken studies on reproductive biology of selected RET trees, balsams, bamboos and orchids to evolve strategies for their effective conservation.
- Produced 15 new orchid and bamboo hybrids having horticultural potential.
- Introduced and evaluated 150 species of native plants based on their ornamental and landscape potential.
- Recognized by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Government of India as a lead institution for Biosphere programme and Centre for Research on orchids.
- Maintaining a herbarium of Kerala Flora comprising 51,104 specimens (as per 2006 records), catering to the needs of students, researchers and scientists.
- Developed tissue culture protocols for rapid multiplication of orchids, medicinal plants, bamboos and rattans leading to reintroduction and restoration of many of them.
- Chemical profiling and DNA finger printing of medicinal plants.
- Established a Bioinformatics Centre under DBT-BTIS programme of Government of India particularly focused the biological resources of Kerala.
- Prepared a database on the Flora of Kerala.
- Transferred the production technology of Jeevani (an immuno-enhancing, antifatigue, anti stress and hepatoprotective herbal drug) and SISAIROSP (a herbal formulation to control psoriasis and dandruff) for commercial manufacture.
- Developed 12 new phytomedicines and filed 15 patents.
- Published 25 books, 1,000 research papers, 20 handouts/bulletins/course materials.
- Carried out Environmental Impact Assessment Studies (EIA) on different hydroelectric projects and offered Environmental Management Plan to KSEB to take up various protective measures for safeguarding biodiversity.
Read more about this topic: Tropical Botanical Garden And Research Institute
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