Imphal : Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD) celebrated World Environment Day and organized a programme on “Preserving Bioresources of NER for Sustainable Development” at Imphal, Manipur. During the programme, Prof. Pulok Kumar Mukherjee, Director, of IBSD highlighted that this year’s World Environment Day campaign focused on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.

He mentioned that IBSD is the only institute under DBT, Govt. of India in NER working for the development of bioeconomy from bioresources. For the promotion of bioresources, IBSD is organising different outreach activities in NER for societal benefit and to encourage startups in this region.

He highlighted that IBSD has established phytopharmaceutical mission for documentation of traditional healthcare practices and bioresources of NER for their scientific validation, and value addition to propel innovations, discoveries and inventions. IBSD is exploring ethnopharmacological perspectives of medicinal plants including their cultivation, sustainable management, chemical profiling and value addition.

In this context, IBSD has established linkages between traditional healers and the scientific communities for benefit sharing and promotion of start-ups based on the development of herbal medicinal products. IBSD is promoting the development of traditional knowledge-based therapeutic agents leading to socioeconomic development of the region as well as benefits to traditional health care practitioners.

IBSD is promoting local bioresources including Elsholtzia spp., Cinnamon spp., Ocimum spp., for land restoration and promoting low-chilling varieties of apple in NER to improve the livelihoods of local farmers. He mentioned that IBSD is working on Preserving bioresources and conservation of biodiversity using modern biotechnological tools.

Hrishikesh Konthoujam, National Team Leader, GFA Consulting Group, Imphal highlighted various initiatives for land restoration, desertification and drought resilience in the state of Manipur. He mentioned that communities, local societies and stockholders should play important roles for the protection of the environment.

R. K. Amarjit Singh, IFS, Conservator of Forest, Special Secretary, Govt. of Manipur highlighted various initiatives of the state government for the protection of the environment. Kh. Hitler Singh, DFO, Forest Department, Govt. of Manipur highlighted various initiatives of the department for the documentation of flora and fauna in the state.

Moirangthem Loyangamba, Founder, of Wildlife and Habitat Protection, Langolpunshilok, Imphal shared his experiences for the development of forests and protecting the environment for a bright future. Dr Pardeep Bhardwaj, Scientist, IBSD highlighted various initiatives of IBSD for biodiversity conservation and bioresources development in this region.

All the participants joined the plantation programme on the campus. The programme was attended by the faculties, scientists, scholars of IBSD, Imphal and other organizations and staff from state departments.