India Govt. Appoints First Mushroom Scientist to Lead BSI

Current Context: Dr. Kanad Das has been appointed as the 13^th Director of the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), becoming the first mycologist (mushroom scientist) to lead the institute.

ABOUT Dr. Kanad Das

• Expertise: Internationally known fungal taxonomist; discovered 165+ new mushroom species and 2 new genera.
• Academic Work: Published 170 research papers and authored 8 books on mushrooms.
• Experience: Over 25 years in botanical sciences; served at Central National Herbarium and Acharya J.C. Bose Indian Botanic Garden.
• Career Start: Began as a research scholar at BSI Dehradun Centre.

 ABOUT Botanical Survey of India (BSI)

• Established: 1890.
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Headquarters: Kolkata.
• Network: 11 regional centres, 4 supporting units.
• Mission: Explore, document, and conserve India’s floral wealth.