New Delhi: With a view to promote biotechnology in North-Eastern Region (NER) of the country, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has allocated 10 per cent of its total annual budget towards biotechnology-backed development activities in the region.
Towards this commitment, DBT established the North Eastern Region-Biotechnology Programme Management Cell (NER-BPMC) in 2009-10, functioning through Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), for implementation and monitoring of biotechnology programmes in the NER.
Apart from continuing the ongoing projects in North-East in various areas of life sciences and biotechnology, during this year, 30 scientists/faculty have been selected for bringing advancement in the biotechnology and life science related activities in various institutions of research and higher learning in the NER under ‘DBT-NER Visiting Research Professorship (VRP) Scheme’.
To create an environment of training and research in medical biotechnology, the Department provided support to 11 medical colleges in NER.
An official from the Ministry of Science and Technology said 126 biotech hubs have been established at various institutions, universities and colleges to promote education, training and research in biological sciences including biotechnology.
The North-Eastern Region of the country is a treasure house of exceptional natural beauty, floral and faunal biodiversity and abundant mineral, water and forest resources, the official said.
It has been identified as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world.
Rich bio-resources spread across NER’s diverse ecosystems and nurtured by indigenous communities, provide ample opportunities for furthering economic development of the region.