| CAPACITY BUILDING |
| First Training Workshop || Second Training Workshop |
| |
| Top |
| Second
Training Workshop on Information management of biodiversity (plant
genetic) resources in Botanic Gardens of India |
|
Introduction || Structure || Outcome || Feedback || Press/Media || Picture Gallery |
| The Second National Workshop for Botanic
Gardens was held at the National Botanical Research Institute in Lucknow
from 6-9, September 2004. The Workshop entitled "Information Management of
Biodiversity (plant genetic) Resources in Botanic Gardens of India has
been organized as a part of the Investing in Nature-India (IIN-India)
programme. |
National Workshop endorses the development of world-class
databases for India's botanic gardens |
| The workshop discussed the current standards
of databasing in Indian
Botanic Gardens, the standards that should be adopted and the work that
has been done to date. The latter includes the development of an Indian
Botanic Gardens database (IBG database) as well as a network database
and website (www.ibgn.org) by NBRI. The database will focus on threatened
species. It will be part of the Indian Botanic Gardens Network, and will
be linked to the BGCI global website (www.bgci.org). The workshop was attended by over 25 participants from throughout India representing a wide variety of botanic gardens and international experts including Dr. James Edwards, Executive Secretary, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Copenhagen, Denmark and Mr. Mark Richardson, Director , Asia and Middle East programmes, BGCI, UK and Mr. Jamie O Connell , Website Editor, BGCI , UK. The primary aims of the workshop were to I- Initiate the digitization of collections in botanic gardens were no database exists, II- to upgrade the existing databases in India’s botanic gardens. These two actions will greatly assist in the effective conservation and sustainable use of India’s diverse and valuable flora and workshop was an ideal platform for all the botanic gardens to come under the same umbrella”. Another said that the workshop “has given new ideas how to incorporate conservation into botanic garden databases”. The workshop was organized and coordinated by Dr. Sudershan Kumar, NBRI Focal Point & Network Coordinator for IIN-India which is coordinated nationally by Director, NBRI, Dr. P. Pushpangdan. |
Workshop Structure |
Four-day workshop was divided into ten major
sessions:
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr. James Edward, Executive Secretary, GBIF. |
| Global Review of Information Management on Biodiversity (Plant Genetic
Resources) |
| Dr. James Edward, Secretary, GBIF made a presentation on global biodiversity
information facility. Dr. R.B.S. Rawat, C.E.O., National Medicinal Plant
Boards, Department of AYUSH presented national status of research on medicinal
plants. Dr. Pathak, Director and his colleague made a presentation on
documentation system for field gene bank and database on land races/ primary
verities of world largest collection of mango. Dr. S. Kumar presented
global review of database development efforts. These presentations helped in creating awareness to all IBGN members about importance of databases and latest trends in biodiversity database development. |
| National review of status of Information Management in Botanic Gardens |
| This session was aimed to discuss the value of holding information, review
the status of database developments of plant genetic resources of India
with particular reference to botanic gardens and associated structures
like herbaria, germplasm centre, and traditional knowledge, apprise the
participants about the status of database development in the above areas. Several/ presentations from various zones of India were made in this session viz., North West zone including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Uttranchal; West zone including Gujrat; Central zone including Madhya Pradesh; East zone including Bihar; North east zone including Arunachal Pradesh and Assam; and South zone including Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. These presentations helped in sharing of information and profile of activities among botanic garden community of India. |
| Policy / Legislation & international Treaties/ IPR-Information Management
|
| This session was chaired by Dr. James Edward, Executive Secretary, GBIF
and aimed to apprise participants to provide information on legislation,
Internet treatise, IPR. Dr. H.M. Behl made presentation on CBD, TRIPS, Plant variety Protection and Farmer’s Right Act, Biodiversity Act 2002, and Biological Diversity Rules 2003. He mentioned that no garden or museum yet has a firm policy on IPR. He also explained the importance of documentation of collections by assigning Indigenous Collection (IC) Number and Exotic Collection (EC) Number etc. Participants appreciated the presentation that enlightened them about the recent legislation in biodiversity conservation. |
| Access, Material Transfer Agreement and Benefit Sharing |
| This session was chaired by Dr. H.M. Behl, Dy. Director, N.B.R.I., Dr.
P. Pushpangadan made a detailed presentation in this session and
apprised the participants about the Government of India decision regarding
establishment of Biodiversity board at state level and village level
registers under the National Biodiversity Authenticity of India. |
| Conservation |
| This session was chaired by Jamie O’Connell and Dr. K.N. Nair made
a detailed presentation on National conservation program and invited various
gardens to take active part. He also gave an excellent account of parameters
for developing database on rare and threatened species. The discussions will help in developing the standards for National database on RET species. |
| Educational Data including Interpretation Information for signs |
| This session was devoted to – |
|
| Dr. (Mrs.) Kamla Kulshrestha made a presentation on eco- education and
a few case studies related to education and interpretation signs. This session has helped in better understanding of data required for and available to botanic gardens education. |
| Indian Botanic Garden (IBG) Database |
| This session was aimed to discuss I- data standards/ parameters for recording
information in six modules viz, a) Species data module including information
on nomenclature, geographical distribution, description, etc. b) Educational
data module including information on interpretations for signs. c) Ecological
data module including ecological information about RET species. d) Horticultural
data module. e) Medicinal plant module and f) Patent data; II- Prioritize
fields in terms of mandatory and optional and phases and III- Incorporate/
delete data parameters. Dr. S. Kumar and Jamie O Connel demonstrated several data entry modules using IBG database software & BG recorder respectively. Participants were also distributed CD of BG recorder on this occasion. |
| Website |
| This session was focused on developed national website and Dr. S. Kumar
and colleagues explained a prototype for the same. Jame O’Connell,
Web Editior, BGCI also explained the methods of online submission of data
and also methods of establishing linkage with global website (www.bgci.org). This helped in improving the design and various searches on national website. |
| Hands on training |
| This session aimed to I- demonstrate/ enlighten all participants about
data entry tools; II- provide hands on training on the use of data entry
software like BG Recorder and III- demonstrate links between BG Recorder
and the IBGN database and so on. |
| Outcome |
| Workshop Outcome |
| Training manual released |
| A detailed manual covering various aspects of information management including
Global review on information management of biodiversity (plant genetic)
resources, Interoperable access to biodiversity data, National review
of status of information management in botanic gardens of India, Policy
legislation and internal treatise/ IPR information management, access,
Material transfer agreement and benefit sharing, International transfer
format, Data standards and parameters for national database, how to collect
data, Network databases, Website, Educational data, Indian virtual herbarium
network (IVH-Net) and some further reading was prepared and the same was
released on the first day by Dr. James Edward, Executive Secretary, GBIF,
Denmark. |
| Feedback |
Participant’s Feedback |
| I understood about the CBD/ WTO, Biodiversity
Bill Act and their role in conserving Biodiversity. B. Rathinasabapathy, CZP, Coimbatore, TN |
| It was a nice idea to have the presentation
from the participants about the Botanical Gardens.
Are we really getting the local biodiversity through the Botanical Garden? A.K. Sharma, GBPUAT, Pantnagar, UT |
| Investing in Nature-India program taken care
by NBRI is surely going to update the information system of botanical
gardens of India, interlinking them with each other, in electronic fashion,
provide easy access to information... The workshop organized so far in last two years highlighted the importance of biodiversity status of India, its conservation strategies; and priority plans for Information mobilization. Zafar S. Khan, KUBG, Srinagar, J&K |
| It was very interesting to hear what work is
going on in Gardens from all over India, especially focused objectives
of conservation and education at local level.We have heard how databases
can make a gardens life easier, not complicate it. With good database
collections sharing of material and collection management is easier. It is good that, now, after 2 days, more delegates are contributing to the discussions. Jamie O’Connell, BGCI, London, UK |
|
| Environment Education presentation was informative
and must be duplicated in every garden. Saju Abraham, PDS, Kerala |
| This is a new experience for me
and now I understand about the advanced movements in Biological Science
(Bioinformatics). Each and every presentation gave me more knowledge about
India and its Bio-diversity and awareness programmes. Ajay Kumar K, Malabar Botanical Garden, Calicut, Kerala |
| Dr. Kamla Kulshreshtha’s
talk about the Eco-education was very interesting. Such an interesting
programme is not happening in any other institution in my knowledge. Krishnan P.M., Malabar Botanical Garden, Calicut, Kerala |
| The only part lacking is the database
on similar patterns so that all gardens are at least electronically connected
and have information on identical pattern. Participant |
| It is one of best workshop and
we have taken a lot of information regarding the situation, practices
and other information at the botanical gardens at different places in
India. Lectures arranged in two days are very much informative regarding
the network database management, about the plants in the garden, Education
in the garden to the public and information regarding Biodiversity act.
This programme is creating awareness about the importance of the Botanical
Gardens. Dr. G. S. Mulgund, KU, Dharwad, Karnataka |
| From the review of status of information
management in botanic gardens in different gardens in the country we could
understand how much information each zone is having with them and how much
zone is conserving this biodiversity. C. Renuka, KFRI, Thrissur, Kerala |
| NBRI is doing a good job in bringing
all the gardens under a single network and this workshop is an ideal platform
for the same. Bhupinder Pal Singh, Amritsar, Punjab |
| I understood the importance of
sharing the information through electronic media and the method of doing
it. With the consent of our authorities the information can be shared.
Details regarding giving access in number for existing collection (without
any prior information) may be provided. Dr. C. Kunhikannan, IFGTB, Coimbatore, TN |
| Presentation of status of different
Botanical Garden of different parts/zones of India by different fellow/
participants gave knowledge to me about the different gardens of India.
As I am very much interested to do databasing of University Department
of Botany of T.M. Bhagalpur University, so really I am waiting to know
how to do it? Md. Ajmal Ali, T.M. Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar |
| Altogether the workshop is a different
experience in terms of its relevance 3 presentations today. Particularly
one by Dr. Pushpangadan and Dr. Behl were very enlightening and thought
provoking. V. V. Sivan, MSSRF, Kerala |
| Information Management in Botanic
Garden presentation gives new ideas to how to add new conservation data
information. In Eco-education I would like to know how to use school children
in frequent visit to the Botanic Garden. R. Manickam, CZP, Coimbatore, TN |
| Dr. James Edward’s presentation
on Global Biodiversity Information Facility was very important and showed
the memorable effort that their organization is doing. Dr. Sudershan Kumar
gave a very useful presentation on Bio-Information and also it was giving
guidelines for one who really interested in developing database. The presentations
from the Botanic gardens of various parts of one country gave an insight
of the activities that are going on as both dos and don’ts, facilities
available and also needed for the full-fledged use of the botanic gardens
for common public. Ganesh Babu, FRLHT, Karnataka |
| Press/Media |
Press/Media Coverage |
| The workshop was very well covered by news papers as is
illustrated below: |
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