Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (Lucknow)

Comments

• 
  cmnautiyal

  Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP) on University Road is a unique institution, only one of its kind in the world. Founded as a society in 1946 by Prof. Birbal Sahni, FRS and his colleagues, the Institute is at present an autonomous institution of the Dept. Science and Technology, Govt. of India. The foundation stone of its new building was laid by the then PM Pt. Jawahar lal Nehru on April 3rd, 1949. Unfortunately Prof. Sahni passed away on 10th in the same month,but the work was complted and inaugurated by Pt. Nehru in January, 1953. Pt. Nehru and Prof. Sahni had studied Botany at Cambridge from the same teacher. The institute is devoted to the study of plant fossils and several related themes. It even has a radiocarbon dating laboratory, one of the very few in the country. People here use fossils of various types, including pollen and spores, to learn about the evolution and history of the vegetation and also use the knowledge along with radio carbon and geochemical parameters to decipher changes in the past climate. Pollen and spores, along with other micro fossils, are used to aid in fossil fuel exploration. Tree rings, coal and other similar materials are also studied. Interest in aspects related to fossil fuel is on rise now. The Institute recently (2005-6) celebrated its Diamond Jubilee.

  17 years ago | reply | hide comment