1991-92 - Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany

1991-92Professor Birbal Salmi's Room -recreated.the young ones. In the section devoted to the life and works of Professor BirbalSahni, Professor Sahni's office has been recreated with his original belongings.The main section has seventeen panels and a central display. The panels exhibitorigin and evolution of life, early land plants, coal-forming vegetation, gymnospermand angiosperm diversification, Himalayan orogeny, coastal vegetation,desertification, palaeobotany in relation to coal and oil, radiometric dating ofrocks, geological clock, etc.Group discussion on Relevance of Palaeobotany in modern contexA Group Discussion on "Relevance of Palaeobotany in modern context" washeld on IS November, 1991. Sri C.P. Vohra, Director- General of the GeologicalSurvey of India presided over the discussion which was moderated by ProfessorH.Y. Mohan Ram. The main conclusions derived through this Group Discussionwere (i) science is expensive and hence palaeo botanists must demonstrate andprove benefits that accrue through the study of fossil plants, (ii) palaeobotany hastremendous potential for new discoveries but happenstanccs need be avoided andresearches only on major themes need be taken up, (iii) a close link should bemaintained with molecular biologists and use of latest technology such as, theSEM, TEM, Fluorescence Microscopy, Spectrophotometry, etc. can and shouldbe made, (iv) a rapport should be established between the laboratory, the classroomand the lay public, (v) a concerted effort be made to train young girls andboys in modern-botany and give them a detailed insight into geology and chemistryto enable them undertake pal Professor Birbal Sahni's Room - recreated.aeobotanicalresearches in a comprehensive mode, (vi) a Media Blitz anddisplays of exhibits on the lines of the exhibition and displays put up by the5