Forest Botany

Forest Botany

The Forest Botany Department (Taxonomy) studies the identification, nomenclature, classification, and distribution of plants in Kerala forests. These aspects are of paramount importance for research in Botany and various Forestry and conservation disciplines.

The department is actively involved in research and extension work rendered to various institutions in and outside Kerala and the State Forest Department. Establishing a herbarium covering Kerala's flora is the first among these projects. So far, over 10,000 plant specimens representing most of the tree species of Kerala forests have been collected, identified, and stored. Valuable materials exchanged from the Botanical Survey of India and the French Institute, Pondicherry, are also included in the collection. This herbarium collection is of immense value in the study of the flora of Kerala state.

Along with studying the species diversity of our forests and their proper taxonomic identity, we are also studying their distribution. In this regard, a detailed study on the distribution of important tree species in the forests of the central circle of Kerala was undertaken. This work provided detailed distribution maps of the important tree species.

The Forest Botany Department maintains a live collection of important medicinal plants from Kerala forests in collaboration with the Department of NTFP at the KFRI Campus, Peechi. So far, 300 plants have been established in the garden.

Investigations related to the taxonomy, distribution, phenology, and anatomy of Canes and palms are conducted, and seedlings of various species of canes and palms are raised for live collection on the campus. The Forest Botany Department also studies specific groups of plants, such as orchids, lichens, etc.

Ongoing Research Projects

1. Developing Bamboo Agroforestry Models.

   Project No.GOI RP 812/2021   Funding Agency: National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Govt. of India
   Principal Investigator: Dr. VB Sreekumar 

2. Establishing bamboo plantations in different agro-climatic zones and evaluation of growth performance

   Project No.GOK RP 861/2023   Funding Agency: Kerala State Bamboo Mission (KSBM)
   Principal Investigator: Dr. VB Sreekumar 

3. A Study on Taxonomy, Phylogeny and Conservation of the family Myrsinaceae in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India

   Project No.PG RP 865/2023   Funding Agency: KFRI Plan Grants
   Principal Investigator: Dr. Madiga Bheemalingappa 

4. Identification of genetically superior bamboo species - Phase 2

   Project No.GOI RP 879/2024   Funding Agency: National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Govt. of India
   Principal Investigator: Dr. VB Sreekumar 

5. Taxonomy and ecology of Bambusicolous lichens from Kerala

   Project No.PG RP 883/2024   Funding Agency: KFRI Plan Grants
   Principal Investigator: Dr. Siljo Joseph 

6. Identification, genotype selection, propagation, assessment of soil features and mechanical properties and utilization of commercially important species of Chhattisgarh

   Project No.GOC RP 897/2025   Funding Agency: Rajya Van Vikas Nigam Limited , Govt. of Chhattisgarh
   Principal Investigator: Dr. VB Sreekumar 

Ongoing Extension projects

1. Restoration of Anjarakkandy River using Bamboo and other Native Species

   Project No.GOK EP 379/2023   Funding Agency: District soil conservation office, Kannur, Govt of Kerala
   Principal Investigator: Dr. VB Sreekumar 

2. Establishment of Bamboo seasoning plants

   Project No.GOI EP 389/2024   Funding Agency: National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Govt. of India
   Principal Investigator: Dr. VB Sreekumar 

3. BTSG Coordination and Annual Action Plan

   Project No.GOI EP 390/2024   Funding Agency: National Bamboo Mission (NBM), Govt. of India
   Principal Investigator: Dr. VB Sreekumar