Life Sciences Library

 

The GC University Life Sciences Library located in the building of Institute of Biotechnology GC University Lahore has a rich and updated collection of books related to different fields of life sciences like Botany, Zoology, Bio-technology and Environmental Sciences etc, in addition to research journals including several volumes of the Linnasan Society. The Library holds exclusive research material on various subjects like Plant Morphology (bryophytes and angiosperms), Genetic Engineering, Crop Improvement and Environmental Studies, etc.

 

In the central and postgraduate libraries 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 the GCU libraries to many digital 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" (2007) provides a historical overview of the Garden.

 

Pakistan Botanic Gardens Network Secretariat (PBGN) has published a report covering Jan 2007-Dec 2008. Please click here to read the contents of the report.

 

GCU Botanic Garden organized 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.

 

ADVISORY BOARD FOR GCU BOTANIC GARDEN

1. Dean, Faculty of Science & Technology, GCU Lahore.

2. Chairperson, Department of Botany, GCU Lahore.

3. Curator Botanic Garden, GCU Lahore

4. Assistant Curator, Botanic Garden, GCU Lahore.

5. Assistant Curator Herbarium, GCU Lahore.

6. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Rana (Chairman, Punjab Floriculture Development Council, Govt. of the Punjab)

7. Mr. Muhammad Amjad Cheema (Forest Conservator (Ret.) Govt. of the Punjab)

8. Ms. Rafia Kamal, Consultant Interior Design and Landscapist

9. Superintendent / Deputy Director, Bagh-e-Jinnah, Lahore

10. Director Facilities, GCU Lahore

(REG 6-17/09/14, dated 19-03-2009)

 

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.