Plant scientists must evolve to turn North East's biodiversity into bio-economy: S K Barik

GUWAHATI: Renowned scientist and director of CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute or NBRI, Lucknow, S K Barik on Thursday said plant scientists must evolve to convert the rich biodiversity of the northeast to bio-resources and bio-economy.
He was speaking at the inauguration of an international seminar, Advances in Entrepreneurial Botany: Entrepreneurship Opportunities from Plant Resources for Sustainable Development, at the University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya (USTM). It was organised in collaboration with CSIR-NBRI.
Barik said India has now opened up botany to the entrepreneurship world. The biotech regulator, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee, has approved genetically modified mustard for commercial cultivation. It has paved the way for the country's first transgenic food crop, after nearly 15 years of struggle by its inventor, Prof Deepak Pental, the then vice-chancellor of Delhi University.
"Indian scientists are now looking forward to contributing towards the bio economy, which has a lot of opportunities," he added.
Prof. PS Shukla, VC, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, said biodiversity is critical for human existence, but it is under threat globally. "When we destroy our biodiversity, we not only lose various species, but also the foundation of our existence," Shukla added.
USTM VC Prof. GD Sharma said plant scientists can take herbal medicine products to the global market by using advanced technology. He emphasised on the fusion of plant resources with traditional and modern technology.