Arogyadham (J.R.D. Tata Foundation for Research in Ayurveda and Yoga Sciences), Deendayal Research Institute, Chitrakoot-485331, Madhya Pradesh
(Project Leaders : Dr. R.L.S.Sikarwar & Mr. Anil Jaiswal)
Email: rssikrawar@rediffmail.com

The specific aims & objectives of the project are to : 1. collect seeds/propagules of the following ten threatened plants and their cultivation and multiplication in nursery (1. Alectra chitrakutensis, 2. Butea monosperma var lutea, 3.Clerodendron serratum, 4.Commiphora wightii, 5.Gloriosa superba, 6. Operculina petalloidea, 7. Oroxylum indicum, 8. Salvaroda oleoides, 9. Uraria picta, 10. Vitex negundo (white flowered); 2. create live gene bank of the candidate threatened plants; 3. develop agro technology for the species that are difficult to multiply; 4. educate the local people and school children about the importance of threatened plants through exhibitions and workshops; 5. prepare herbarium specimens and museum samples of these selected threatened plants.

Expected outcome includes: 1. Ten species will be conserved in the Herbal Garden of DRI. 2. Ten accessions of each species will be introduced and maintained. 3. ex situ Live plant collection will be made for education and awareness building among different target groups. 4. herbarium specimens of candidate species will be preserved. 5. seed bank will be developed. 6. local people and school children will be educated. 7. the conservation programme will be linked with the ongoing grass root level community empowerment program of DRI.

Calcutta Wildlife Society, Kolkata-700029, West Bengal
(Project Leaders : Dr. K.R.Naskar, Mr. G.S.Mandal & Dr. Guho Bhakshi )
Email: kolkatawilds@yahoo.com

The aims of the project are : 1. enrichment of the Mangrove Ecological Park at Jharkhali with the mangroves of Sundarban and elsewhere. 2. creation of a special Mangrove Medicinal Plant Arboretum with proper display. 3. generating awareness on necessity of preservation of rare and endangered Mangrove Plants. 4. maintenance of herbarium of all the inter-tidal species of Sundarbans. 5. arrangements for interpretation facilities on identification, use and ecology of various Mangals of Indian Sundarbans. 6. imparting educational inputs to the students/teachers/scholars of various Institutes, Schools and Universities. 7. creation of facilities for the study of inter-tidal mangals of Sundarbans for the interested foreigners by way of developing cat-walks. 8. creating in-situ mangrove conservation linkages for the learners. 9. proper display of materials showing local name, latin name, uses etc.