Know Your Plants – A Handbook of Wild and Cultivated Flora of Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence

Editorial / March 18, 2025

By Srijita Banerjee

Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (SNIoE) is home to a remarkably diverse range of plant and animal species. Nestled within a 300-acre campus in the Chithara Village Panchayat of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the university benefits from its unique rural-urban landscape. The region’s biodiversity is enriched by the Dadri wetlands, wild grasses, date palms, and the surrounding agricultural fields, all of which contribute to the thriving flora and fauna on campus. The university’s meticulously landscaped gardens, tree plantations, and open green spaces further support a rich ecosystem of cultivated plant species and wild animal life.

Recognizing the significance of this biodiversity, SNIoE initiated the “Biodiversity Documentation of Chithara Village Panchayat” project in 2013-14, which included an extensive study of the university’s flora. This initiative led to the publication of the Illustrated Flora of Part of Western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi NCR, India in 2018, documenting several novel plant species, including the prehistoric relic species Equisetum ramosissimum, or horsetail, often described as a living fossil.

Emerging from this comprehensive documentation project, Know Your Plants: A Handbook of Wild and Cultivated Flora of Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence is an exceptional resource for plant identification and appreciation. The book was conceived under the guidance of Prof. Rupamanjari Ghosh, Former Vice-Chancellor of SNIoE, with the vision of creating an accessible field guide for students, researchers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

The handbook offers a comprehensive study of the campus’s plant diversity, documenting 266 species (116 wild and 150 cultivated) across 208 genera and 81 families. The wild flora includes 66 species of herbs, 14 shrubs, 19 climbers and creepers, and 17 trees. The cultivated plant diversity is equally remarkable, featuring 14 ground cover species, 41 landscape shrubs, 9 ornamental climbers, 70 landscape trees, 12 palm species, and 4 bamboo species.

Raising awareness among campus residents and visitors is essential for conservation, ensuring these plants are protected and appreciated for their ecological, aesthetic, and medicinal significance. Notably, over 90% of the recorded species have medicinal properties, many of which have been integral to traditional healing systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha.

About the Authors of Know Your Plants

Dr. Amit Kumar Tripathi, Postdoctoral Research Associate at the School of Natural Sciences, SNIoE, has played a pivotal role in identifying and cataloging the university’s wild and cultivated flora. His research extends beyond botanical documentation, encompassing traditional knowledge and local folk songs from Chithara, compiled in his 2020 book Traditional Knowledge: Folksongs of Chithara Village in Upper Doab Region of Uttar Pradesh, India Price: 1495/- (available in both English and Hindi).

Prof. Jyoti Kumar Sharma, Former Director of the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) and a distinguished Fellow of the Phytopathological Society of India, has over four decades of experience in forestry, biodiversity assessment, and conservation. As Professor and Head of the Center for Environmental Sciences and Engineering at SNIoE (2013-2023), he spearheaded multiple research projects, including the biodiversity documentation of Chithara and the establishment of the university’s Thematic Botanic Garden. He has co-authored several books showcasing the rich flora and fauna of the university campus as mentioned here;

Know Your Plants – A Handbook of Wild and Cultivated Flora of Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence Price: 1250/-

Illustrated Flora: Part of Western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi NCR, India (2018) Price: 8000/-

Butterflies of Shiv Nadar University Campus: A Pictorial Handbook (2021) Price: 500/-

Birds of Our Courtyard: A Pictorial Handbook of Birds of Shiv Nadar University Campus, Delhi NCR (2022) Price: 1000/-

A Unique Garden in the Making: Thematic Botanic Garden of Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (2023) Price: 950/-

Traditional Knowledge: Folksongs of Chithara Village in Upper Doab Region of Uttar Pradesh, India (2020) Price: 1495/-

लोकगीतोंकापारम्परिकज्ञान: एकसंग्रह- चिटहैराग्रामपंचायत, गौतमबुद्धनगर, उत्तरप्रदेश (2020) Price: 995/

A First-of-Its-Kind Institutional Field Guide

Know Your Plants stands out as one of the first institutional publications in India to comprehensively document both wild and cultivated flora. Featuring stunning color illustrations, it is designed to be accessible to both botanists and non-specialists, making plant identification a seamless experience. The book not only highlights the university’s ecological richness but also underscores the importance of biodiversity conservation.

By documenting and preserving campus biodiversity, this work aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15: Life on Land, reinforcing SNIoE’s commitment to ecological sustainability. The book serves as a valuable reference for researchers, educators, and students, fostering a deeper understanding of the role of flora in sustaining ecosystems.

The publication was made possible with the support of Prof. Ananya Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor, SNIoE, and Prof. Sanjeev Galande, Dean of the School of Natural Sciences, whose encouragement and resources have been instrumental in bringing this invaluable resource to life.

More than just a handbook, Know Your Plants is a testament to Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence’s dedication to biodiversity research, conservation, and education. It is an essential addition to the collection of nature lovers, researchers, and anyone eager to explore the botanical heritage of the campus and beyond.