The book of green listings

They say it is one of its kind: A unique database with more than 4,400 descriptive listings of Indian institutions, information services and publications which study and report on medicinal plants, indigenous medicine and related subjects.

Published by the Switzerland-based International Library Association, the book has three parts -- Institutions, Education, information services and publications and Products, miscellaneous services and resources -- and is essentially meant for the use of researchers, industrialists and students.

The first section deals with government and non-government organisations and university and college research centres. The second comprises audiovisual material, extension services, publishers and distributors. And the last part has the descriptions of analytical and testing facilities, gardens, germplasm banks, herb suppliers and museums.

The appendix of the book contains lists of corresponding plant names in Latin, English, Hindi and Sanskrit as well as a glossary of the terms used in the text. Each chapter of the volume is preceded by a separate 'user's guide' with information on scope, management arrangement, data elements and indices.

The Botanical Survey of India and the Forest Research Institute have contributed to a large extent towards the project.

The 600-page volume is being distributed in India by the Doon valley's renowned 'green book shop' which deals exclusively with ecology-related literature.

UNI