Manipur a biodiversity hotspot
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 31 2013 :
Manipur is home to many plants, animals and microbial resources.
The State is listed in the top ten hotspot biodiversity rich zones of world famous 34 biodiversity hotspots, said Dr S Natesh, Consultant Advisor of IBSD today.
In a press conference held at Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Takyekpat, Dr S Natesh said that the region is known as the Indo-Burma region hotspot.
He added that the region is a site for gene diversity of many domestic crops and a secondary site place for several economically important plant and animal species.
Saying that people are very lucky to born in this region he said that people do not know how to utilize the benefits.
Realizing the importance of rich biodiversity and unique bio-resources of the State and with the mission to develop and bring sustainable utilization of the bio-resources of the region, the Government has set up the institute in Manipur, he said.
Dr Narayan Chandra Talukdar, Scientist, Microbial Resources, who is also the Head of the Department, said that the institute has acquired a 2-hectare land for the cultivation of garlic variety Curcumin.
IBSD works on plants, animals, medicinal plants, microbes and aquatics.
Saying that many consumable insects are abundantly found in the region, he said that people generally loathe insects years back.
However, these insects are rich in protein, he added.
Food festivals which feature insects are frequently organised in some cities like London, he said.