Sowmyan, this is great news indeed! I know a number of people who are interested. It would be great if some of their archives can be accessed. Most of the trees that are out there are somewhat more readily accessible as indeed are the ornamentals. 

There are some really historic material including some amazing artwork (some of which I believe is by some unfortunately little-known botanical artists like K. Cheluvayya Raju who died more than 70 years ago).

There is probably some interesting material related to G H Krumbiegel, Hugh Cleghorn and the Agri Horticultural Society.

There are also some interesting publications made by the Horticulture Department that are largely inaccessible - over the years I have had enquiries from the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh for looking up a book called "Glass House – The Jewel of Lalbagh" published in 1991 that has hardly been seen by people who are interested in it. I have likewise had requests for archive data relating to John Cameron (Krumbiegel's predecessor). 

There is also a great deal of as yet un-written history on plant introductions such as 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chayote ("Seemay Badnekayi" = foreign brinjal  - one of the introductions to our diet thanks to the work at Lalbagh) as well as the numerous avenue trees (like the pink  poui currently in bloom and chosen by Krumbiegel as part of his Ritu Samhara idea for Bangalore)

For a glimpse of the excellent artwork of an unfortunately little-known botanical artist - K. Cheluvayya Raju - see

http://www.benakaartconservation.com/Restoration/Portfolio_-_Art_Conservation_&_Restoration_files/Botanical%20paintings.pdf

and we have several other botanical artists who as yet have no articles on even on the en.wiki (for example the somewhat famous pair of Govindoo and Rungiah). 

I have been postponing my own plans to research the archives there and would be very happy to join you in your meetings if possible. There are some active tree groups in India who will be interested too. 

best wishes

Shyamal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Shyamal

On Fri, Dec 6, 2013 at 12:02 PM, Sowmyan Tirumurti <tsowmyan@wikimedia.in> wrote:

Bangalore is called the Garden city. Lal Bagh and Cubbon Park played a significant role in this city getting this name. The annual flower show on Jan 26th is approaching. A huge crowd is expected. 

I was curious to see what is in the Lal Bagh article in Wikipedia. I felt it was lean on 'Botanical' content. As a botanical garden there should be talk of the species of trees available, the rare ones that are not easy to find elsewhere etc. 

Yesterday I met the  the Dy Director of the Horticulture department to identify any help they can provide. (Karnataka is perhaps unique in having a horticulture department as part of its governance structure). He has shown enthusiasm. Next week I will be meeting the Director (who is currently on tour) to seek his approval. Once this is done, we can have a Sunday meet of Bangalore wikimedians at the Garden, get a overview of the Lal Bagh and a guided tour by Botanical experts, who can provide the domain knowledge related to the unique species we have here etc. That should enable people to write about these dimensions in the existing articles. 

We may also explore possibilities of introducing a QR code for the unique specimen and articles related to them. In all probability some articles will exist. But if these species are rare, the articles can mention the availability of the specimen at Lal bagh in the article pages of Lal Bagh as well as the species. Hope fully this can be in the next week end. ie 15th Dec. That may give us ample time to embellish the article before Jan 26 flower show. 

I am also considering inviting PG students in Horticulture from the University of agriculturaal sciences, Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra Campus, Bangalore.  

Those interested in participating please write to me. 

Non Bangaloreans can perhaps look at Botanical Gardens with unique species of trees, plants etc nearer their town.  I understand the Botanical Garden at Kolkata is also famous. 

Regards,

Sowmyan

Wikimedia Chapter, Bangalore

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