Building an Herbarium Unit: from collection to curation - A guide for botanical research and conservation

The study presents a comprehensive framework for establishing a functional herbarium unit, highlighting its vital role in plant biodiversity research and conservation. To this end, an effort has been made to outline the steps for setting up a national-level herbarium, drawing on insights gained from visits to regional herbaria in Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Haryana, and Bihar. The experiences and knowledge collected from these visits are synthesized and presented in this manuscript to guide the development of an effective herbarium unit. The required components and step-by-step procedures are systematically detailed to provide a clear roadmap for herbarium establishment. This paper will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, students, scientists, and nature enthusiasts, supporting herbarium development, education, public awareness, and botanical conservation.