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Lucknow, 21 February (HS). Training on traditional and modern methods of plant classification and biotaxonomy started at CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow.
Participants from different states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jammu-Kashmir, Assam, Kerala etc. are taking part in this training. On this occasion, INSA's distinguished scientist Dr. R.R. Rao was present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony.
Dr. R.R. Rao said that despite being of immense importance, the discipline of taxonomy has to struggle to save its existence today. Gradually, its role has become limited to providing support to other plant science areas. Which is the important reason behind this situation. The main ones among them are – reduction in financial support to taxonomy projects, due to lack of taxonomy experts in colleges and universities, this subject is taught by non-experts, taxonomy research papers are not accepted in high impact factor journals and researchers. etc. reducing interest in this genre. He stressed the need for such training programs in such a situation.
Dr. Vijay Vishnu Wagh, coordinator of the program and principal scientist of the institute, said that this program was conceptualized in view of the decreasing number of taxonomy experts in the country and the need to use new technology in the field of taxonomy. With this, experts in taxonomy can be prepared keeping in mind the future challenges. He said that 31 participants including 16 women and 17 men are participating in this program, most of whom are from Maharashtra, Assam and Karnataka.
Dr. S.K. Tiwari said that it is believed that taxonomy is a dying discipline, but in NBRI, scientists from different fields work together, which also supports taxonomy. He said that the importance of taxonomy is still there, because for any type of study on any plant, the first task is to identify it correctly and hence it is necessary for taxonomy to remain alive. The training program will conclude on 27th February.