Poppies of Indian Region

Dr. Himadri Sekhar Debnath received M. Sc. Degree (1977) and Ph.D. (1984) from the University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal. Of the very few scholars pledged in research work in the field of Taxonomy, Dr. Debnath, a Scientist of Botanical Survey of India has been dynamic engagement in Taxonomical and Ecological work since last 25 years. He entered Botanical Survey of India as Research Scholar in 1978 and contributed towards the taxonomic study of the family Papaveraceae. As a resourceful contributor of several research publications in different Journals of National and International, he has to his trustworthiness author of books entitled, “The Poppies of Indian Region” that attracted widespread recognition from various organizations. Dr. Debnath also received Diploma in Integrated Coastal Zone Management from University of New Castle, U.K. Dr. Debnath’s present study is generously illustrated. He has made an exhaustive survey in the mangrove areas of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and collected plant samples of immense scientific value. He has published about 30 research papers and two books. At present, Dr. Debnath is the Scientist-in-Charge of Industrial Section, Indian Museum, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.

Dr. M.P. Nayar, Botanical Survey of India received M.Sc. degree from the University of Kerala (1955) with a First Class and First Rank and Ph.D. from the University of London (1966).  He worked as Botanist at Kew, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, U.K. from 1961-1967.  He visited several Herbaria and Gardesn inj Europe during 1961-1967.  He monographed the family Melastomataceae for South East Asia.  He is the author of five books and a book on "The Names of Flowering Plants" is under publication.  He has about 150 original scientific papers to his credit and he described about 110 new species in the above-mentioned publications.  He represented the Department of Environment as the leader of the Indian Team on Plant Working Group for the Convention of International Trade on Endangered Species in Fabruary 1984 at Tuscon, U.S.A.  He is also working as Consultant and Chairman, Indian Subcontinent Plant Specialist Group, Species Survival Commission of IUCN.