Botanical garden is MBGIPS now

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday declared upgraded the Malabar Botanical Garden at Olavanna in Kozhikode as the institute for plant sciences.

The facility under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) will now be known as Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Science (MBGIPS), said Mr. Chandy. He also laid the foundation stone for the proposed Malabar aquatic biopark on the institute premises.

Help for students

The Chief Minister, who also unveiled a model of the proposed aquatic biopark at the function, said Rs.3 crore had been allocated in the last budget for the upgraded institute, which will be beneficial for students as well as researchers.

Funds sanctioned

Mr. Chandy also sanctioned Rs.50 lakh for improving the narrow road to the institute from the city.

An ecosystem service centre meant to reintroduce different varieties of rare plants in their natural environment through diverse methods will be another important facility to be developed at the institute, which is spread over 40 acres.

Attractions

An aquatic plant conservatory, a protected area for lower group plants, systematic garden based on taxonomic classification, quarter for Rare Endangered and Threatened (RET) plant species, herbal garden, Gymnosperm section and Hortus Valley, where almost all the 700 plants mentioned in the Hortus Malabaricus are arranged together, are some of the attractions of the MBGIPS.

Various developmental, research and extension programmes are also being carried out in this institution. It serves the dual cause of ecological conservation and plant research, said R. Prakashkumar, director of the institute.

Agriculture Minister K.P. Mohanan presided over the function. M.K. Raghavan, MP, and P.T.A Raheem, MLA, among others were present.

Malabar Botanical Garden will now be known as Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Science