Botanical gardens and life on earth

Context

On this Earth Day (April 22), we should celebrate the recent decision of the Tamil Nadu government to establish a large botanical garden (the Chengalpattu Botanical Garden) in the State as an important and welcome piece of news.

Botanical Garden

• Educational institution- A Botanical garden is an educational institution for scientific workers and the general public or layman to awaken and enlighten interest in plant life.
• Ex-situ conservation- It is an ex-situ conservation area and a place where economically endangered plants can be displayed for research and education.
• Labelled with scientific names- Every plant in the Botanic Gardens is labelled with its botanical and scientific names as well as its family.

History of Botanical Gardens:

• During Ancient Civilization- In the ancient civilization gardens were prominent features of the grounds of temples or palaces, as well as of the homes of the nobility The “Hanging Gardens” of Babylon are counted among the wonders of the ancient world.
• Flourished through different dynasties-The Indian history, which runs through thousands of years, we find that these gardens flourished with the rise of different dynasties and dwindled away with their fall.
• Reflect the glory of a nation- The botanical gardens reflected the growth of human culture of the regions in which they were situated today, and reflect the glory of a nation or of a country.