Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden in Howrah, West Bengal, officially named the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, is located in Shibpur, on the west bank of the Hooghly River near Kolkata. Established in 1787 by Colonel Robert Kyd during British rule, its original purpose was to introduce and cultivate economically valuable plants such as spices and timber.

Covering more than 270 acres, the garden is managed by the Botanical Survey of India and is famed for housing around 12,000 species of plants from around the world, as well as over 2.5 million dried plant specimens in its Central National Herbarium. The garden’s most famous attraction is the Great Banyan Tree, renowned for having one of the largest canopies in the world. In addition to its impressive banyan, the Botanical Garden has an extensive collection of orchids, palms, bamboos, and rare as well as endangered species.

Its beautiful landscaping features interconnected lakes and diverse plant groupings, making it both a vital center for botanical research and a peaceful retreat for visitors. The garden has played a significant historical role in introducing important crops to India, such as tea, and continues to serve scientific, educational, and recreational purposes today.