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Synopsis Botanic gardens, public gardens, parks and other greeneries form an effective network for conservation of plants of utility and aesthetic value besides their role in protecting ecological balance preventing environmental degradation and maintaining a pollution free pure natural atmosphere. The development of such conservation centres in India has been under active consideration of both central and state governments. Botanic gardens, though form an integral part of the cultural fabric of a nation, they hold unique germplasm of native and exotic species. In these days of habitat loss, botanic gardens function as nurseries or refugia of plants driven to extinction. The two recent examples illustrate the significance of botanic gardens. "The lost tree of Easter Island" (Sophora toromiro) was driven to extinction in Easter Island. The Botanical garden of the university of Bonn is Possess this beautiful tree. The rediscovery of ramosmania heterophylla in the small Indian ocean island of Rodriguez in 1980 led to its multiplication at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew. Ramosmania heterophyylla was thus saved from extinction. In India Frerea indica is saved from extinction through multiplication in the Botanical Survey of India. In the Country we require a chain of botanic gardens in different phytogeographical regions. As a first step, it is necessary to take stock of the existing Botanic Gardens, their status and holdings.