Director’s Message
Dr. Sreekumar S Director in-charge, KSCSTE-JNTBGRI
Director’s Desk
Established in 1979 under the Science, Technology and Environment Department, Government of Kerala, and brought under the Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment in 2003, the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI)—formerly known as the Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute—has evolved over the past four decades into a national centre of excellence in biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization. Its primary focus is the Western Ghats, while its conservation initiatives also extend to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
JNTBGRI established the first tissue culture laboratory in Kerala, pioneering plant biotechnology in the state. Since then, it has developed propagation protocols for a wide range of Rare, Endangered, and Threatened (RET) plant species reported in India. The institute maintains one of the largest living plant collections among botanic gardens in the country, supported by specialized conservatories that include higher plants, mushroom genetic resources, and ferns. As a National Gene Bank for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, JNTBGRI operates an integrated conservation system comprising field gene banks, seed banks, in vitro repositories, and cryopreservation facilities, complemented by well-curated herbarium collections and comprehensive biodiversity databases.
JNTBGRI functions as a key resource centre for native plant species, where diverse taxa are systematically conserved, multiplied, and made accessible to the public. The institute provides high-quality planting materials of both wild and ornamental species in the form of plants and seeds through its seed bank. These efforts support conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable horticulture, while enabling greater public participation and promoting the use of native species in landscape and restoration programmes.
The institute has made significant contributions to ethnopharmacology and ethnomedicine by systematically documenting traditional knowledge and translating it into more than twenty scientifically validated herbal formulations. It has also advanced a globally recognized model for equitable benefit sharing. Its interdisciplinary research in phytochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics-driven drug discovery, and nanotechnology further strengthens the discovery, validation, and optimization of plant-based therapeutics.
JNTBGRI actively undertakes eco-restoration programmes and provides consultancy services for the rehabilitation of degraded ecosystems, thereby contributing to ecological recovery and enhancing climate resilience. In addition, the institute promotes floriculture and public outreach through the Saraswathy Thangavelu Extension Centre, facilitating technology dissemination and encouraging sustainable horticultural practices.
Building on these strengths, JNTBGRI is entering a transformative phase with the establishment of a dedicated start-up and innovation hub focused on the sustainable utilization of its extensive genetic resources. This initiative aims to bridge conservation with enterprise by translating research outputs into value-added products and technologies in sectors such as herbal therapeutics, nutraceuticals, biopharmaceuticals, and ornamental horticulture. The hub will serve as a platform for technology transfer, incubation, and industry–academia collaboration, fostering innovation, generating employment, and promoting biodiversity-based livelihoods while ensuring sustainability and equitable benefit sharing.
JNTBGRI also serves as a major educational centre for plant biodiversity and genetic resources, catering to students, researchers, policymakers, and the public. Through its living collections, herbarium resources, and structured outreach programmes, the institute disseminates scientifically validated knowledge and supports evidence-based decision-making in biodiversity conservation. It plays a critical role in strengthening awareness of conservation biology, sustainable utilization, and climate resilience.
The institute cordially invites students, researchers, policymakers, and the public to visit JNTBGRI and engage with its scientific and conservation initiatives. Such engagement is essential for fostering informed biodiversity stewardship, strengthening science–society linkages, and promoting a collective commitment to conserving our natural heritage.
JNTBGRI remains committed to integrating conservation, science, education, and innovation to advance sustainable development and societal well-being.