Assam Rice Farming Site Gains Protected Heritage Status

Guwahati: The National Biodiversity Authority officially tagged Borjuli as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. The Assam farming area earned the title for its role in protecting wild rice genetic resources. It is a big win for local crop diversity.

The Union Ministry of Agriculture announced the move on July 2. This protection falls under a project meant to shield wild rice, specifically Oryza rufipogon, from disappearing. Since 2022, the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources and the Assam State Biodiversity Board have worked together to manage the site.

Scientists from the ICAR-NBPGR recently updated NRAA CEO Chandra Shekhar Kumar on their work. They confirmed the official designation during the briefing. Kumar backed the effort to save these rare plant species for future agricultural use.

Kumar noted the importance of the find for the nation. He said wild rice species are "an invaluable source of genes" for developing climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutritionally superior rice varieties. He now wants the team to apply these same conservation tactics to other wild crops across India.