Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: NRAA Chief Executive Officer Chandra Shekhar Kumar toured the ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources to inspect an ongoing wild rice conservation effort. The project guards indigenous strains in Borjuli, Sonitpur. This site carries official status as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under the National Biodiversity Authority.
Conservation teams focus on in-situ preservation. Wild rice remains in its natural habitat. The ICAR-NBPGR runs the program alongside the Assam State Biodiversity Board and the Borjuli Biodiversity Management Committee. Funding flows directly from the National Rainfed Area Authority.
Kumar walked through the National Gene Bank and the Cryo-Bank. He saw the Tissue Culture Repository and the Division of Germplasm Conservation. Scientists also showed him the NBPGR Museum and the Genetically Modified Detection Laboratory. They shared technical details regarding the management of regional plant genetics.
"Scientists briefed him on the conservation, evaluation and management of plant genetic resources undertaken at the institute." Officials including DP Semwal, PK Singh, Rakesh Singh, and Rakesh Bhardwaj joined the walk-through. Julius Unchoi, Anjalika Kak, SP Ahlawat, and NRAA Director Pankaj Kumar Shah also participated in the review.
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