Shillong, July 28: Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Forests, Environment and Climate Change today inaugurated the Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) Meghalaya at Upper Shillong in the present of Shri Hamletson Dohling, Minister for Information Technology, Urban Affairs etc. Government of Meghalaya, Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo, Director IBSD, Shri C.P. Marak, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Shri C.V. Darlong Diengdoh, Joint Secretary, Science and Technology among others.
In his inaugural address, Dr. Vardhan said that the North Eastern Region of India is a genetic treasure house of plants, animals and microbial resources and is amongst the top mega-biodiversity hotspots of the world. He also informed that the IBSD was set up to identify the rich biodiversity and unique bioresources of the state that can boost the bio-economy and generate jobs for the unemployed youth through bio-entrepreneurship.
Dr. Vardhan in his speech also highlighted the achievements, activities and initiatives of various developmental projects undertaken by the Government of India in the region to ensure all round development of the northeastern states at par with the rest of the country.
The Union Minister also appeal to the people of the State to fulfill the green social responsibility by contributing towards developing a social movement through Green Good Deeds by undertaking one green good deed a day by strengthening the bio-resources and developing a sustainable development programme. The list of Green Good Deeds can be accessed through App, he added.
Shri Hamlet Dohling, State Minister for Urban Affairs, IT etc., in his speech said that the State of Meghalaya is rich of bioresources and has a vast potential to contribute to the nation. With the increasing population of the state is putting up pressure on its biodiversity, Shri Dohling said judiciously harness the bioresources and sustainable development is being seen as the only way forward to pass on a secure future to the coming generations.
Shri Dohling calls upon all stakeholders to work together with the IBSD to take certain action to protect and preserve the rich biodiversity of the State by creating awareness on various issues endangering the environment.
He also urged the IBSD to take up certain action plan to develop the bioresources of the State as a measure of sustainable use of resources and to develop local specific biotechnological intervention on the unique bioresources of the state to enhance farmer productivity and generate employment opportunities.
Earlier Director, IBSD, Prof. Dinabandhu Sahoo in his speech informed that the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development is a National Institute under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. The main mandate of the IBSD is the conservation and sustainable utilization of bioresources for the socio-economic development of the region.
