Saikh Md Sabah Al-Ahmed
(sabahalahmed@gmail.com)
The domain of research involves a lot of hard work, perseverance and determination. Over the years, many scholars and researchers have come out with their work(s), either in the form of research papers, dissertation work or a PhD thesis, which ultimately takes the shape of a book. This apart, scholars and researchers have excelled in their chosen field(s) with their respective volumes of research work done.
Distinguished academician Prof. Dr Sudhangshu Chowdhury, retired Professor and Head, Department of Botany, Gauhati University, whose seminal work titled Plantes Assam: Current Taxonomic version of the Vascular Plants of Assam is nothing short of a masterpiece, to say the least. It's a voluminous piece of work that is a result of painstaking research and hard work by the illustrious author himself. The rich contents of the book, right from the opening page up until the last page are worth its weight in gold.
The book visualizes the importance of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature for naming a plant species scientifically, following the Principles, Rules and Recommendations of the Code. As the subtitle of the book suggests, it is a 'Current Taxonomic version of the Vascular Plants of Assam'. In the background of the rich floristic abundance in the state of Assam, various species at different points of time have been enumerated by various authors. The universal codes have been updated and the plants identified and named with their latest coding in the universally accepted botanical nomenclature as of date.
The uniqueness of the book lies in the fact that it's a lifetime research work of meticulously collected data disseminated over 50 years, but with emphasis between 1998 and 2021, and spread over the length and breadth of Assam. The illustrations and photographs, along with typing, editing and finally publishing the book are by the author himself. It is a systematic treatise and a researched scientific work mentioning the nomenclatural changes/correct naming of 4534 species of plants.
On being asked as to what inspired him to write this copious volume, Prof. Chowdhury frankly admits: "For a long time, I have seen confusion arising as to the correct and updated naming of plant species, particularly in the state of Assam. Over the years, being a Taxonomist and a teacher in the subject, many teachers, students, research scholars, et al have approached me for the correct naming. These and some other frequent errors incorrect nomenclature inspired me to do detailed scientific research and prepare a work which will benefit all in the field and serve as a reference book for posterity." This apart, it was a bumpy ride for the author while compiling this book. He opens up on some of the challenges and difficulties: "Reference material had to be collected by doing extensive research. I have travelled extensively and have photographed all of them myself. For certain periods, funds were a constraint. Inclement weather conditions were to be dealt with. The pandemic also delayed the work by two years." Self-published by the author himself, this invaluable book contains eight chapters, along with a total of 293 illustrations and photographs which are appended inside this book. The book was completed within five years by the author at the age of 87, perhaps making him the oldest published scientific author in the region. This indispensable book would surely serve as a Gospel, not only to students of Botany but as a matter of fact, any 'nature lover' who yearns to know a little bit more about the plant kingdom around him.