Survey of Medicinal Plant Unit (SMPU)
Since 1982, the Institute has diligently curated a comprehensive collection of medicinal plant specimens native to Sikkim. In 2024, this commitment to botanical research culminated in the establishment of the Survey of Medicinal Plant Unit (SMPU) within the institute’s framework. The Herbarium is registered in index herbarium by New York Botanical Garden with the acronym RARI. The Herbarium of the institute having Herbarium sheets of over 4000 medicinal plants and 450 raw drugs in the Raw Drug Museum. This institute, in conjunction with this unit, has undertaken extensive field surveys across Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Darjeeling district of West Bengal to gather and preserve raw drug materials sourced from diverse locations. These efforts have not only enriched the institute’s repository but also contributed significantly to the conservation and exploration of the region’s rich botanical diversity.