|
For the first time, the Plant Resources of the country has been compiled in a digital format and the same will soon be available to the public. The CD of the compilation was released by the Minister for Science & Technology and Ocean Development, Shri. Kapil Sibal at a press conference here today. Data is available in this CD at a resolution of 25 X 25 Km grid map of the country, information on diagnostic features, morphology, anatomy, reproductive biology, culture practices, threat status, post-harvest handling and processing, product profile and patents. 3 more digital data bases covering Animal Resources, Microbial Resources and Marine Resources are being compiled and will be ready in the next six to eight months. More than 200 scientists across the country are involved in the programme under the aegis of the National Bioresources Development Board (NBDB) of the Department of Biotechnology.
Shri. Sibal also released another CD containing an inventory of the Butterflies of Western Ghats.
Giving details of the achievements of the NBDB, the Adviser, Department of Biotechnology, Dr. S. Natesh said that an All India coordinated project on prospecting for food grade natural dyes from bioresources has been initiated with six participating institutions. Culture protocols for the alga Dunaliella salina and D. bardawil in open tanks have been developed for production of high quality Beta Carotene.
Similarly, over 400 plant species have been screened for pesticide activities against nine insect pests using six parameters. Out of 83 samples that showed promise, 14 plants have been prioritized for repeat screening, he said.
Shri. Sibal said that the global market for products derived from bio-resources is estimated at $500-800 billion. With India having a bio-diversity share of about 8%, we should be able to make a impact, he said.
Shri. Sibal said that work for the largest Butterfly Park of Asia is nearing completion at Banerghatta, near Bangalore and it will be open to the public by August next year. Built at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crores, the Park will stretch over an area of 7.5 acres and will house over 1000 species of butterflies.
|
