english final - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

Foreword
Established in 1946, the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP) is dedicated to develop and promote
the science of Palaeobotany. The organisation has since grown into a premier research centre devoted to all relevant
aspects of fundamental and applied Palaeobotany, keeping in view its multiple dimensions in enriching Botanical and
Earth System sciences.
It is my pleasure to present the Annual Report of the BSIP for the year 2004-05. It provides a summary of
the research and various other activities of the Institute. A general overview of the research contributions is presented
followed by a summary of the highlights so that it serves the purpose of a reference material with a list of scientific
publications. The targets defined under various projects/components have been by and large met and the details of
research work conducted are incorporated. Collaborative research with other scientific and academic institutions
has been very active both nationally and internationally. A MOU between Institute and Geological Survey of India
(Coal Wing) has been signed for palynological and petrological studies of selected areas of Gondwana coal basins.
Steps for long-term major collaborations with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Delta Studies Institute,
Visakhapatnam, Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun, National Institute of Oceanography, Goa and
National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research, Goa in the field of Quaternary palaeoclimate and Industrial
application of Palynology have been taken and are at various stages of formulation of MOU. The Institute also
provided expertise to various academic institutions and scientific organisations.
Constant support and guidance received from the Chairman and Members of the Governing Body and the
Research Advisory Council have been quite encouraging in shaping the research activities of the Institute. I express
my sincere thanks and gratitude to all of them.
It is since the last month of period of report that I took over as Director of this Institute, which has been my
alma matter. The progress of the Institute reported in the Annual Report is the outcome of concerted efforts of
Institute staff. In this context, I would like to record my sincere appreciation to the efforts of Dr. Jayasri Banerji who
has been looking after the duties of then Director (Officiating) till February, 2005.
The report has been compiled by the Research Planning and Coordination Cell and brought out by the
Publication Unit with inputs from scientific, technical and administrative personnel.
N.C. Mehrotra
Director