UPSC Express

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is the apex research organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, has function to:

a       Exploration and research leading to the advancement of our knowledge on the exceptionally rich faunal diversity of the country
b       Engage in the assessment of the country’s forest resources on regular intervals
c       To ensure safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology
d       For carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country through survey, documentation and conservation
Explanation:

Solution (d)

Botanical Survey of India (BSI) is the apex research organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, for carrying out taxonomic and floristic studies on wild plant resources of the country through survey, documentation and conservation. During the successive plan periods, the functional base of Botanical Survey of India was further expanded to include various new areas such as inventorying of endemic, rare and threatened plant species; evolving conservation strategies; studies on fragile ecosystems and protected areas, like sanctuaries, national parks and biosphere reserves; multiplication and maintenance of endemic and threatened plant species, wild ornamentals, etc., in Botanic Gardens and Orchidaria; documentation of traditional knowledge of plants and development of National Database on Herbarium (including type specimens) and live collections, plant distribution and nomenclature, botanical paintings/ illustrations, plant uses, etc.