SHILLONG: Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Forests, Environment and Climate Change, Dr Harsh Vardhan, has stated that North East region is one of the greatest genetic treasure house for plants, animals and biodiversity.
Dr Harsh Vardhan who inaugurated the Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) Meghalaya at Upper Shillong here on Saturday said that the Centre was keen to have similar centres in the entire region and the process would be completed in two years time.
He also maintained that the country had achieved great deal of name and fame in the science and technology and India was sixth in terms of science publication, third in terms of nano technology and fourth in weather forecast.
“ We are comparable with the best in the world,” he said while adding that the fruit of science must be delivered to the people of the country even as he maintained the country should talk about jai vigyan apart from Jai Jawan and Jai Kisan.
He also informed that the IBSD was set up to identify the rich biodiversity and unique bio-resources 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 could be accessed through App, he added.
Urban Affairs Minister and local MLA, Hamlet Dohling, who was also present on the occasion said that the State of Meghalaya is rich of bio-resources and has a vast potential to contribute to the nation.
With the increasing population of the state is putting up pressure on its biodiversity, Dohling said judiciously harness the bio-resources and sustainable development is being seen as the only way forward to pass on a secure future to the coming generations.
Dohling also called 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.
Earlier Director, IBSD, Prof. Dinabandhu Sahoo said that the main mandate of the IBSD was the conservation and sustainable utilization of bio-resources for the socio-economic development of the region.
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