2. Enabling improved dialogue and understanding between peoples using traditional knowledge and
   nomenclature and scientists and managers using formal names, in the contexts of protected areas and
   of traditional usage of biodiversity.
3. Identification of invasive alien species and potentially invasive species in time to take preventative action.
4. Identification of pests of agriculture, horticulture, forestry and fisheries, and organisms threatening human health accurately and quickly;
5. Identification of natural control agents of invasive alien species and pest species.
6. Identification of pollinators of target plant species, and facilitate their conservation.
7. Identification from wild relatives possible replacement staple crops and crop strains in order to supplement current strains in the context of climate change.
8. Addressing issues of marine biodiversity, including issues related to the health of corals, ballast water and invasive species in ports.
9. Enabling local control and monitoring of bioprospecting operations.
10. Identification of the fauna and flora of specific microhabitats such as dead wood in order to enable wise management.
11. Supporting the activities of quarantine and customs officials in their interception work and enforcing CITES.

Dr. S. Kumar, Scientist & Network Coordinator for IIN-India participated in the 3rd GBF Meeting - South Asia regional meeting held at Dhaka 16-18 June 2003. Participants of IBGN and other readers are welcome to visit website www.gbf.ch for further details of the above mentioned four workshops.

Tropical Botanic Garden & Research Institute (TBGRI) is an autonomous Institute established by the
Government of Kerala on 17th November 1979 and registered on 23rd November 1979 under the
Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act, 1955. It functions under the umbrella of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment. TBGRI is located at Palode in Thiruvananthapuram District, 40 km north east of the capital city, on the Thiruvananthpuram- Shenkottah Road.

The Institute was founded by the late Prof. (Dr.) A. Abraham, a distinguished professor at the Department of Botany of University of Kerala. Prof. Abraham served as the first Director (1979-1983), and subsequently the R&D activities of the gardens and institute were steered by Prof. (Dr.) A.N.Namboodiri (1983-1990), Dr. P.Pushpangadan (1990-1999) and the late Prof.(Dr.) G.Sreekandan Nair (1999-2001). Currently Prof. (Dr.) G.M.Nair is heading the Institution (2001 onwards).