https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Returning to Roots, Botanical Garden to Reintroduce Medicinal Plants Named in Ancient Tamil Literature

The botanical garden will be set up in 138 hectares at a cost of Rs. 300 crore at Kadambur in Chengalpattu district, in partnership with Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, London Tamil Nadu’s Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Supriya Sahu, IAS, says that plants that have medicinal properties as per ancient Tamil literature and are not in use in contemporary times will be reintroduced The botanical garden will also house a state-of-the-art herbarium and provide recreation facilities to the public
Indian Masterminds Stories

A 138-hectare botanical garden will come up near Chennai, at Kadambur in Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs. 300 crore and in partnership with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London. The project will be implemented over a period of five years.

Speaking with Indian Masterminds, IAS officer Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Environment, Climate Change and Forest, Tamil Nadu, shared details about the project.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives are to collect, document and maintain indigenous and exotic plant species, ex-situ conservation, multiplication of threatened and endemic plants, establish seed banks (short term), and arboreta and mist propagation facilities.

Ms. Sahu said that they are planning to reintroduce and rehabilitate indigenous plants in natural habitats, and establish herbarium of authentic specimen for identification of plants. Sale and exchange of seeds, plants and other planting materials to individuals and with research institutions is also on the agenda.

The botanical garden will also provide recreation facilities to the public and expose them to the pristine beauty of nature. It will also provide and promote opportunities for small scale enterprises and support local business and services to improve the standard of living of the people of the area.

“Establishing nature centres and youth museums to focus attention on destruction of tropical and temperate ecosystem, and environmental degradation; organising educational programmes to create environmental awareness among children; and training teachers in environmental education is the other aim,” Ms. Sahu said.

Iconic Botanical Garden, Kew, London (Picture Courtesy: Supriya Sahu IAS Twitter)

FACILITIES

The botanical garden will have facilities of conservatory for housing tropical and temperate vegetation, conservation centre for orchids, ferns, bamboos, palms, medicinal plants, herbs and healing garden, rock garden with arrangements of water falls, rose garden, butterfly garden, and sensory gardens based on fragrance, taste, and texture.

It will further have a Herbarium of indigenous and exotic species, area for demonstrating the ancient Tamil land classification – 5 landscapes of Sangam Literature (Kurinji, Marutham, Neythal, mullai, palai), area for demonstrating the sacred groove concept, aquatic habitat for housing aquatic vegetation, conservation centre with interactive facilities, and souvenir shop.

“The botanical garden will also consist of a plant museum with library and state-of-the-art Herbarium with seed preservation centre, administration building, learning cum conference centre, staff accommodation, eco huts, open-air auditorium, tree house, wetland board walks, nature trails, cycle path and road for BOV, including solid waste management and grey water treatment facilities,” Ms. Sahu said. 

The project will encourage environment-related activities, including guided walks for students and the elderly, Kids for Nature – an educational programme on plant biodiversity, nature and heritage education, workshops and seminars for organised groups.  

Visitors can also avail the facilities of cafeteria and food courts, parking facilities and other visitor amenities including drinking water, seating facilities, beautiful eco-toilet complexes, battery operator vehicles, wheel chairs, etc.

PLANT SPECIES

Floral specieswith potential trees of high carbon sequestration capacity and threatened and endemic species shall be planted, and so will be medicinal plants that have medicinal properties as per ancient Tamil literature and are not in use in contemporary times.

“Along with this, tropical dry evergreen forest, tropical deciduous forest, thorn forest, xerophytic species, fern, orchids, bamboo will be planted. Rare and endangered species will be promoted and their reintroduction will be ensured,” Ms. Sahu added.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
epfo
ICAS Sanjay Pandey Elevated to Additional Secretary Rank in EPFO
ECI Sadan_ Election
IIS Ashish Goyal Appointed as Director General (Media), Election Commission of India - Know More About Him
Jamia_RCA_resized
32 Candidates from Jamia RCA Clear UPSC CSE 2024, 12 Among Them Women
Eastern Coalfields Limited MoA
CMPDIL and Eastern Coalfields Limited Sign MoA for Implementation of Solar Power Project
REC Limited
IAS Jitendra Srivastava Assumes Charge as CMD, REC Limited - Know More About Him
Uttar Pradesh Police (UP)_resized
3 Senior IPS Officers Reshuffled in Uttar Pradesh, DK Thakur Made ADGP, SSF
IPS logo resized
IPS Officer Satendra Kumar Repatriated to Uttar Pradesh Cadre from NCRB
Satyabrata Sahu IAS
Senior IAS Officer Satyabrata Sahu Empanelled for Secretary Equivalent Post at the Centre
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
E-Rickshaw Chaos, Waterlogging, Traffic Mess — Can Noida Fix Its Daily Chaos? | Exclusive with Dr Lokesh M, IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
IRS Padmapani Bora’s 16-Year-Long Journey in Governance
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
This Collector Finds Happiness In Squeaks Of Children With Hearing Impairment Who Start Hearing After Surgery
UPSC Stories
Shah margi chirag
Fifth Attempt, AIR 4: Shah Margi Chirag’s Steady Climb to Success | Exclusive
After five attempts, Margi Chirag Shah secured AIR 4 in UPSC CSE 2024. Her journey reflects focus, simplicity,...
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-22 at 16.36
How CA Harshita Goyal Carved Her Path to UPSC AIR 2
Haryana-born, Gujarat-raised — meet UPSC star, Harshita Goyal, a CA who's now a national name, as she...
UPSC CSE 2024 Results
UPSC CSE 2024 Results: Women Dominate with 3 Out Of Top 5 Ranks - Know More About the Toppers
In UPSC CSE 2024, three women secured top 5 ranks, highlighting gender progress in India’s civil services....
Social Media
GozJlgrXYAAHoKv
Murals for Cleanliness: Thoothukudi District Launches Art-Inspired Sanitation Drive in Panchayats
Local artists add colour and messages to village walls, promoting hygiene and community pride
Himanshu Nagpal IAS
Varanasi's Beggar Rehabilitation Initiative Recognised by UIDAI, CDO Himanshu Nagpal Shares the News
Mr. Himanshu Nagpal is a 2019-batch IAS officer
IAS Vaishali Chopra
Young IAS Vaishali Chopra Takes a Stand Against Caste Bias During Field Training in Uttar Pradesh
While the issue itself may seem small, the post is resonating widely online for its honest reflection...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
epfo
ICAS Sanjay Pandey Elevated to Additional Secretary Rank in EPFO
ECI Sadan_ Election
IIS Ashish Goyal Appointed as Director General (Media), Election Commission of India - Know More About Him
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr Lokesh M IAS
IRS Padmapani Bora UPSC
WhatsApp Image 2025-04-13 at 1.46
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT