Library

 

The Library at the Department of Botany has a collection of 5, 022 books, in addition to research journals including several volumes of the Linnasan Society. The Library holds a rich collection of research material on various subjects like Plant Morphology (bryophytes and angiosperms), Genetic Engineering, Crop Improvement and Environmental Studies, etc. In the Central Library of the University, networked PCs are linked to a wide range of software, communication and print services. There is speedy access to the Internet that links us to information networks connecting national and international universities.

 

Dr. Sultan Ahmad Herbarium

 

The Herbarium was established under the aegis of Prof. S.R. Kashyap in the early 1900s. Under the chairpersonship of Dr. A. U. Khan, the Herbarium was officially inaugurated as “Dr. Sultan Ahmed Herbarium” in 2003. Naming the Herbarium after Dr. Sultan Ahmed is GCU’s way of honouring one of its fervent scholars. The plant collection at the Herbarium includes a wide range of fungi, bryophytes, pteridophytes, gymnosperms and angiosperms. Specimens have been brought from various geographical regions of the country in particular by the present Chairperson of the Department, Prof. Zaheer-ud-Din Khan. The collection at the Herbarium is notable for it holds specimen dating back to 1912. Recently, 100 plants were brought to the Herbarium by Prof. Shabbir Ahmad from Singapore. Scientists often visit the Herbarium for examining specimen significant to their research. The Herbarium offers support to institutions and organisations in the field of Botany by making its treasure trove of plant material and specimens available to all researchers. Presently, the Herbarium has more than 1,000 identified plants mounted on sheets.

 

Kashyap Museum

 

Another one of Prof. Kashyap’s contributions to GCU was the establishment of a Museum in the Department. Prof. Kashyap took keen interest in the collection of plant specimens, not only from the Subcontinent, but also from China, Indonesia, the UK and the Philippines. A large number of specimens have been added to the Museum’s collection. Now, the Museum has almost 400 different plant specimens. These specimens cover all the disciplines of Botany ranging from Mycology, Phycology, Bryology and Pteridology. There are also specimens of Conifers and Angiosperms. Recently, some fruits and tropical plants collected from Singapore by Prof. Shabbir Ahmad have also been preserved in the Kashyap Museum. A complete list of entries has been prepared and the data is being computerised for reference purposes.

 

GCU Botanic Garden

 

The GCU Botanic Garden is being managed by the Department since 1912. It covers an area of seven acres. Since its establishment, the Botanic Garden has been appropriately looked after and well kept. It includes a number of wild flora as well as exotic and rare species. Presently, the Botanic Garden is home to 700 species. Dr. A. U. Khan has made a noteworthy contribution to the Department by publishing an index of the plant species present in the Garden entitled "Catalogue of Plants of GC University Lahore Botanic Garden" (1996). Another concise booklet entitled "A Brief Guide to Government College Lahore Botanic Garden" (2002) provides a historical overview of the Garden.

 

GCU Botanic Garden is holding a 2nd Pakistan Botanic Gardens Conference on "Botanic Garden: A Vehicle to Strengthen the Public/private/NGO partnership for plant conservation" from February 02 to 04, 2009 Click Here for details.

 

Herbal Plot

 

The establishment of the Herbal Plot in the Garden is another step towards improving and increasing the collection at the Botanic Garden. A Green House, Experimental Fields, Plant Breeding Enclosures and an Open-Top Chamber System are also present at the Botanic Garden to facilitate research activities. We also have a seed bank where we conserve germplasm of economically important plant species.

 

Biological Society

 

The Biological Society was established in 1954. The founding members of the Society were Dr. Sultan Ahmad, Dr. Muzzafar Ahmed, Dr. Abu-Baker, Prof. Ahsan-ul-Islam and Prof. Wais Hussain Bokhari. The Society launched what was later to become an international research journal – "The Biologia” – in June, 1955. Today, the journal is subscribed to by libraries in the UK, the US, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, Jordan, Sudan, France, Saudi Arabia, India and the Netherlands.