Tue Apr 15 11:51:25 UTC 2025: ## India Launches First-of-Its-Kind Seed Germination Database to Boost Ecological Restoration

**GUWAHATI, INDIA (April 16, 2025)** – A groundbreaking seed germination database, offering over 1,000 techniques for 465 native Indian plant species, was released today by the Ecological Restoration Alliance-India (ERA-I). This free, publicly accessible resource aims to significantly improve the success rate of ecological restoration projects across the country.

The database, compiled by 23 individuals from 11 institutions, represents a collaborative effort to address India’s commitment to the Bonn Challenge, a global initiative aiming to restore 350 million hectares of degraded land by 2030. India has pledged to restore 26 million hectares.

ERA-I highlights the critical role native plants play in restoring degraded ecosystems. These plants, having adapted to local conditions, require less maintenance and contribute to climate-resilient landscapes. The database provides crucial knowledge to overcome the challenges of seed germination, where only a small fraction of seeds typically develop into mature plants.

“Most people establishing native plant nurseries have relied on trial and error,” explained Divya Mudappa, a senior scientist at the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF) and a member of the ERA-I steering committee. “This database offers a wealth of information, making it easier to cultivate native species.”

The database includes germination techniques for a wide variety of plants, from common species like the banyan tree and ashwagandha to less prevalent ones such as Nilgiri Daphne-leaf and Malabar ironwood. It’s intended for use by restoration practitioners, nursery managers, and plant enthusiasts.

Paul Blanchflower, director of Auroville Botanical Gardens and another ERA-I steering committee member, emphasized the database as “the first step” towards building a strong knowledge base for creating native plant nurseries, a cornerstone of ecological restoration efforts. The initiative represents a significant step forward in India’s ambitious ecological restoration goals.

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