PIONEER OF CRYTOGAMIC STUDIES IN INDIA
1. Father of Indian Bryophyte: Prof. Shiv Ram Kashyap
Postal address: Not found (In 1919, when the Honours School in Botany was established by
Panjab University, he was appointed University Professor of Botany, where he served until his
death.
Date of Birth: 6th November 1882
Date of Death: 26th November 1934 (age 52 years)
Area of Expertise:
He is famous for three contributions :
1. Liverworts of the Western Himalayas
2. Flora of Tibet
3. The sexual generation of Equisetum.
Kashyap studied the liverworts of the western Himalayas and the Punjab region, where he
described 4 new genera and 30 new species of Liverworts.
He published two book. Lahore District Flora jointly with A C Joshi in 1936 and Liverworts of
the Western Himalayas and the Panjab Plain. Part I (1929) & Part II. (1932).
The cryptogams have always been a subject of interest for botanists due to the significant role of this plant group play during plant succession (soil development) and also to the fascinating facts of their evolutionary biology. The cryptogams consist of Algae, Bryophytes, Fungi, Lichens and Pteridophytes. The lower groups of plants (cryptogams) have been the source of important drugs, food, fodder, beverages, as well as used in pedogenesis, bioproepection, biomonitoring, climate change assessment, ecosystem services, sustainable development. However, researches on theses plant is confined only to some institute in India, but still is highly neglected because of unenthusiasm shown by taxonomist working on cryptogams, lack of funding from funding agencies, hence they need proper attention, and in this context the association will try to associate all experts for betterment of this group in future with the following aims and objectives.
I. To establish infrastructure and organisational network for citizen science focusing
on cryptogamic research, science communication and societal uplifting through
formal and non-formal education.
II. To guide, collaborate and coordinate research in area of classical, applied and
cutting edge researches of cryptogams in terms of agriculture, environment and
health.
III. To bring together individual and organization involved in activities such as
development of cryptogamic scientific temper, learning, research and
popularization based on participation of peoples.
IV. To promote cryptogamic communication between the experts and general
public through publications such as journal, popular articles, newsletters,
magazines, pamphlets, books audio/visual clips, and by other means of
communication targeted to specific audience, field excursions and provide tokens
of merit, through medals, prizes.
V. To cultivate liaison between governmental and non-governmental institutions,
academies, societies and other organizations in the field of cryptogamic science.
VI. To promote and undertake research and development and extension services in
the field of cryptogams in relation to sustainable agriculture, conservation of nature
and natural resources with emphasis on biodiversity of cryptogams and its role in
ecosystem services, natural history, socio economic aspects with reference to man
and environment.
VII. To disseminate cryptogamic science education in most backward, tribal, rural
and peri-urban areas schools to improve ways of life through technologies, small
scale industries, and other livelihood matters for empowerment, self-reliance and
help to developing trained manpower as well as initiate entrepreneurship through
cryptogamic science.
VIII. To provide training on cryptogamic resource mapping, bioprospection,
environmental and climate change, and maintenance cryptogamic plants
information database and a library for reference and technical, advisory extension
services. Develop projects in the field of cryptogamic biology in its widest sense,
including projects sponsored by various International/national institutions, unions
or state governments, public or private sectors of others.
IX. To act as a premier scientific organization in the country in the field of
cryptogamic sciences. Provide services for classical and modern identification,
authentication and characterization of cryptogams. Subsequently initiate institutes
under aegis of the Association for Indian Cryptogams.
X. To hold and sponsor or support conferences, seminars, symposia, and
meetings, and to arrange lectures and demonstrations on any aspect of cryptogamic
science
XI. To develop incubation centres for biofertilizers, biopesticides, bioprospection
and provide services for green belt development, Environmental Impact
assessment, Eco auditing.
XII. Receive donations, grants, gifts, acquire, assets, money, properties for
promotion of these objectives including making memorandum of understanding
between various national and International institutions.
XIII. To do and perform all other acts that may assist in, are conducive to, or be
necessary for the fulfilment of the above mentioned objectives, without any motive
of making profit.