Mandate

1. Documentation and inventorization of species diversity in preservation plots, natural forests and plantations of  M.P.
2. Phenological and ethno-botanical studies of forest species.
3. Studies on carbon sequestration and climate change. 
4. Maintenance and development of forest herbarium and Botanical Garden. 
5. Carbon sequestration and climate change.

Forest Botany Branch has a rich forest herbarium since its inception i.e. 1963. Over 20,000 plant specimens of 206 families, 1183 genera and 3456 species are harboured in the existing herbarium of SFRI. There is much scope of modernization of existing herbarium adopting scientific norms and preparation of digital herbarium. As a part of conservation programme, institute has established an arboretum-cum-botanic garden in 1976. The botanic garden is situated in 4.25 ha area and houses 225 plant species including trees, shrubs, climbers and herbal plants in various sections.

Besides, this branch conducting various research projects related to Phenological studies of forest species, Carbon sequestration and climate change, Sustainable livelihood based management plan for protected areas, Studies on photosynthetic efficiency, biomass production and carbon sequestration, Documentation and inventorization of plant diversity in natural and plantation forests of Madhya Pradesh.

Forest Botanical Garden [view more]

Forest Herbarium [view more]

Preservation Plots [view more]

Institutional Staff

Name Dr. Sachin Dixit, Ph.D. Designation Senior Research Officer Qualification M.Sc. (Forestry), Ph.D.                                                                                                   Contact No. 9826319273  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   View Detail

Name Mr. Amit Pandey Designation Senior Research Officer Qualification M.Sc. (Environmental Science)                                                                                                   Contact No. 9770204748 Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   View More

Research

On-going project

Completed projects 

Major Research Achievements 

• Methodological development was made using non harvest techniques for carbon sequestration of different tree species in various forest types/sub types of Madhya Pradesh in the current scenario of climate change. Project monitoring parameters for evaluation of carbon sequestration of different tree species covering different forest types of Madhya Pradesh have been developed
• Technological up gradation was done for forest herbarium of SFRI and its database has been computerized
• Innovative technologies developed for inclusion of 100 ethno-medicinal plants, RET and endemic plants and ferns in degraded forest area of Madhya Pradesh having canopy density of 0.4 and below for livelihood security of forest depended rural communities and to promote ground floor management/habitat management of degraded natural forests.
• Developed rehabilitation techniques for gregariously flowered bamboo forests of M.P.
• Preparation of reclamation plan for Flagstone mines of Shivpuri district.
• Impact assessment of reclamation of mined lands of Singrauli on physical, biological and ecological attributes
• Assessment of sal regeneration in borer affected sal forests of Madhya Pradesh viz; East Mandla, Dindori, South Shahdol, North Shahdol, Anooppur, East Sidhi, West Sidhi, Umaria, Katni and North Balaghat Forest Divisions and protected areas Satpura, Kanha and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves
• Ecological studies on natural regeneration of sal in Mandla
• Sustainable Management under Joint Forest Management: An innovative approach to Forest Management
• Resource Survey in Peoples Protected Area of South Chhindwara, West Chhindwara and South Shahdol divisions of Madhya Pradesh.
• Identification of Potential Pockets of endangered medicinal plants in Satpura plateau of M.P. to encourage insitu conservation.
• Study the impact of Biotic Pressure within the PA of Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary and to suggest the remedial measures.
• Impact Assessment studies of Rani Atari (Chirmiri area) and Nawapara (Bhatgoan area) underground coal mine project on flora, fauna and Hydrology.

Services

Identification of taxonomic plants for Ph.D students of collages/universities/NGOs and foresters of different corners of the state/country

Research Summaries (Completed project 2014-15)

Project-1. Modernization and digitalization of existing forest herbarium of State Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur (M.P.) ". Final report submitted to M.P. Forest Department (Land Management) (2015).

Objectives

• Modernization and digitalization of existing forest herbarium.
• Modernization of existing forest herbarium by extending temperature and humidity controller, computer facilities/lighting/power points/ fittings and fixtures for e-herbarium.
• Preparation of electronic herbarium database.

Findings

Herbarium plays a central role in authentic identification of plant material, biodiversity conservation, habitat identification of rare, endangered, threatened and endemic plants, documentation of traditional knowledge, study of molecular taxonomy, to check bio-piracy of intellectual property, environmental management etc. It is of vital importance for educationalist, foresters, taxonomist, ecologist, medicinal practioners, environmentalist and other user communities related with the subject. The State Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur as a part of conservation program, has a rich forest herbarium since its inception i.e. 1963. Over 20,000 plant specimens of 206 families, 1183 genera and 3456 species are harbored in the existing herbarium of SFRI. The development of virtual and searchable herbarium database will provide taxonomic information for authentic identification and important data with regards to different species including rare plants, their conservation and rehabilitation. The main storage unit of the herbarium with modern and scientific techniques was developed through PWD department including flooring with ceramic tiles, aluminum partition of the room, dismantling wall plaster and providing with tiles up to 1 feet height. The software developed for digital herbarium database and plant identification. The software available information including label information of herbarium sheets as well as secondary information pertaining to collection number, habit, habitat, local name, botanical name, family, distribution, taxonomical features, flowering and fruiting period, uses were installed in the software. Minimum five photographs of live specimens of each species of one locality were added. The identification of plants/flora has inbuilt taxonomical data.

Project-2. Project titled "Development and enrichment of existing botanic garden of S.F.R.I, Jabalpur with rare and endemic angiosperm and pteridophytes". Final report submitted to M.P. Forest Department (Research and extension wing) (2014).

Objectives

• Strengthening the infrastructure of the garden.
• Documentation of fern and fern allies from different pockets of M.P.
• Enrichment of the garden with fern and fern allies and rare /endemic tree species.
• Multiplication of fern and fern allies in the green house.
• Preparation of education materials

Findings

The database for pteridophytes and fern allies have also been created pertaining to scientific name, family and medicinal uses for different localities belonging to different agro climatic zones of Madhya Pradesh. The pteridophytes are an important, ancient and diverse group of plants that includes ferns, horse tail and club mosses distributed all over the world. The hilly and undulating topography of the area with several large and small rivers, ponds, lakes and swamps harbors rich population of pteridophytic plant diversity. The Gond, Baiga and Panika tribes of Madhya Pradesh have the traditional knowledge about utility of various pteridophytic species for treatment of various diseases. An ethnobotanical survey will be undertaken to document traditional knowledge of major pteridophytes of M.P. and these species will be collected, conserved and multiplied in the garden to save the diversity of pteridophytes and fern allies. For the purpose information will be collected from aboriginal pockets of M.P. using questionerie method. The vailidity of recorded medicinal uses of ferns will be verified by repeated quiries from various informants.The plants will be collected under the guidance of traditional medicinal practitoners. The specimens will be identified with the help of available literature on pteridophytes. The twenty five pteridophytic and fern allies were conserved and multiplied in the garden. The conserved plants were multiplied adopting macro-proliferation methods after developing planting stock of fern and fern allies on mass scale. The tillers were separated and multiplied. The collected plants were conserved in polythene bags by mixing poting mixture viz; sawdust and FYM in the ratio of 2:1. The multiplied plants of fern and fern allies would be planted in the garden under tree canopy. An arboretum section was expanded with indigenous tree species particularly rare, endangered, and endemic viz; Hymenodictyon exclesum, Ixora arborea, Albizzia odaratissima, Ougeinia oojeinensis, Stereospermum chelonoides and prone to extinction in a scientific manner. This will reflect a typical forests vegetation of Madhya Pradesh. It is very purposeful for education and awareness development of people. The arboretum is useful for identification of plants generating academic interest. Four seedlings of each tree species were planted in pits of size 45 cm3 at the spacing of 4 m X 4m. These pits were filled up with good loamy soil or silt brought from outside. Soil working was done to retain adequate soil moisture. Before filing up the pits the earth was also mixed with suitable mixture of FYM/ mulches. Watering of planted seedlings was done as and when required. Education Material on conservation, multiplication and utilization of rare, endemic angiosperms and pteridophytes was completed and printed for filed foresters and other stake holders.

Training

• Imparted training and demonstration of Herbarium preparation and its management.

• Imparted training of biodiversity conservation/botanization in botanical garden to rural people, trainee foresters, rangers and degree students of colleges and universities.

Other significant achievements:

कार्बन का महत्व, पर्यावरणीय घटनाओं से इसका संबंध एवं वनों में कार्बन संचयन का आंकलन  (Published Technical bulletin No 87, 2019).