Botanical Survey of India signs MoU with UK’s Natural History Museum

The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Natural History Museum (NHM) of United Kingdom signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi on February 16, 2018 to enhance cooperation in the field of genetic/taxonomic studies, research and training and conservation in India, including species and habitat conservation assessments.

The MoU was signed by BSI Director Dr. Paramjit Singh and Head of the Algae, Fungi and Plants Division, NHM, Dr. Sandra Knapp, in the presence of Union Environment Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan.

Objective

The main objective behind signing the agreement is to open up mediums of collaboration in science, support further research and boost scientific study for the benefit of both India and UK.

The agreement will also help both the nations keep up with their commitment to use scientific evidence to support the goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity, CITES and the Nagoya Protocol.

Besides this, the MoU will centre on capacity building and scientific exchanges between the two nations and will enable both to learn from each other and work collaboratively to address important scientific questions and deliver benefit to humanity.

Significance

The agreement will pave the way for the BSI staff to work in London’s Natural History Museum and for the staff there to work in Botanical Survey of India.

It will also enable the exchange of knowledge and information between the two esteemed research organisations.

They will be able to share fairly the benefits that may arise from the collection, study and conservation of the plant materials such as seeds, herbarium specimens and tissue samples and exchange associated data and images.

NHM will also help BSI in capacity building in areas of systematic botany and long-term conservation of plant genetic resources in India.\

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