The Acharya Jagadish Chandra (AJC) Bose Indian Botanic Garden, at Shibpur, Howrah, across the Hooghly River from the City of Kolkata, was founded in 1787.  The Scottish Botanist William Roxburgh was the first paid Superintendent of the Garden – once the finest in Asia – and he is widely known as the Founding Father of Indian Botany.  There are three heritage buildings on the river frontage at the southwest corner of the Garden: the William Roxburgh House, completed in 1795, the former Herbarium and Library of 1883 and the early 19th century former Seed House, now the Administration Building. The first two are in near-derelict condition and at risk and require urgent work to save them.

The Roxburgh Project is promoted by the Roxburgh International Trust (Scottish Charity no. SC05091) in collaboration with the Botanical Survey of India.  It aims to revitalise and secure the future of this amazing historic garden - 273 acres, 250 years and counting, starting with the historic buildings at its heart. The project - especially critical considering the scarcity of open space in and around Kolkata, and the lack of quality leisure destinations - will create a visitor destination with museums, café, bookshop, education and conference facilities, and a new ferry connection with Kolkata, while providing opportunities for conservation skills training and climate change awareness.  It will also provide more immediate community benefit by offering much-improved access across the Hooghly River to the Botanic Garden for local residents and visitors and contribute to development of the tourist economy of the city and of the region.

To find out more about the Trust, their aims and the work we have been doing to support them, please go to https://www.roxburghtrust.org/ or view this short video about the project https://youtu.be/QG3qQNvLx3M