Himalayan Day : Himalaya: Science and Knowledge
Date : 9th September 2021 :: IBSD Takyelpat

Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Autonomous Research Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Imphal celebrated the "HIMALAYAN DAY" on 9th September 2021 in connection with the AZADI KA AMARIT MAHOTSAV to offer the tribute to this great entity -Himalaya. It serves 1.9 billion people of 10 Nations.

Therefore, Himalaya need a special attention to protect from unscrupulous development activities and poor understanding damaging this important ecosystem. Celebration of Himalayan Day has been an effort to bring every stakeholders, community organizations, academicians etc. together to contemplate collectively on the current and the future state of Himalaya under the leadership of Prof. Pulok Kumar Mukherjee, Director IBSD. The topic for this year is “Himalaya: Science and Knowledge”.

IBSD is located in the Eastern Himalaya region comprising the NE region of India. The region falls in the bio-geographic tri-junction and a centre of huge diversity for many plants, animals and microorganisms. We have been working on the research and development activities in areas of medicinal and horticultural plants, microorganisms and animal resources for various application in traditional medicine and phytopharmaceutical drug development, nutraceuticals and industrial applications for socio economic development in the region. IBSD institute have been organising several outreach programme including technical assistance through workshop and training programs on the use of bioresources.

The topic for this year is “Himalaya: Science and Knowledge”. Several eminent speakers including Vice Chancellors from the Central Universities, Directors, Scientists, Professor, social workers and others representing the whole country addressed this event. Since Himalaya serve for several purposes, conservation of Himalaya is a common responsibility of all of us. Celebration of this Himalayan Day by IBSD is an effort to bring every stakeholders, community organizations academicians etc. together to contemplate collectively on the current and the future state of Himalaya.

Prof. Pulok K Mukherjee Director, Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal, Manipur, India welcomed the gathering with his welcome speech and highlighted about the importance of Celebrating the Himalayan Day by IBSD.

Dr. R K Ranjan Singh Hon'ble Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Education, Govt. of India, appreciated about the various activities carried out by IBSD using the bioresources available in Eastern Himalaya region for societal benefit through biotechnological interventions.

Dr. Renu Swarup Secretary Dept. of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Govt. of India New Delhi has highlighted various programme taken up by the Department of Biotechnology Government of India and congratulate for various research and outreach activities taken up by IBSD. She also congratulated IBSD for taking up the initiative for Himalayan Bioresources Development programs.

Prof. S. K. Sopory Former Vice Chancellor, Jawarharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, in his speech appreciated various programs taken up by IBSD which gives a roadmap for the Bioresource development to improve the bioeconomy of the region.

Dr. Anil Prakash Joshi, Director and Founder of Himalayan Environmental Studies & Conservation Organization (HESCO), Dehradun highlighted about the importance of Himalaya and its role in the ecological balancing of both the Western Himalaya and Eastern Himalayas (NE India). Dr. Anamika Gambhir Scientist F, Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, New Delhi & Coordinator, IBSD, Imphal, India congratulated IBSD for organising the Himalyan Day thereby highlighting the importance of Himalayas.

Dr. J. L. Karihaloo Ex-Coordinator APAARI, New Delhi , Prof. K.R.S. Sambasiva Rao Vice-Chancellor, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Dr. U.S.N. Murty Directo, NIPER, Guwahati, Dr. Ajay Parida Director Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Bhubaneswar, Dr. G. Narahari Sastry Director, CSIR-NEIST, Jorhat and Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy Director CSIR-IIIM, Jammu expressed about the different ideas on the utilization of Bioresources available in the Himalayan region including microorganisms, animal resources and medicinal plants used by the traditional healers for improving agriculture, livelihood drug development.

Dr. Mohd Aslam, Former Advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, Consultant (DBT-ILS), New Delhi, highlighted about various research verticals taken up by DBT, Govt. of India through Himalayan Mission Programme using diverse Bioresources of the Eastern and Western Himalayan region for the societal benefit.

Dr. Jyoti Prakash Tamang Former-Dean, Sikkim University Gangtok expressed about the rich cultural heritage and the biorsources available in NE India with special reference to Sikkim including the fermented foods available in NE India.

Dr Augustus Shemphang Suting Officer on Special Duty, BRDC, Govt of Meghalaya and Prof. Zavei Hiese Director, Nagaland Institute of Science & Technology and Dr. Partha Roy Professor, IIT Roorkee Roorkee has apprised on the various research and developmental activities including technology development programs carried out by their institutions and expressed their willingness to work with IBSD.

Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD)
Autonomous Research Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India,
Takyelpat Institutional Area, Imphal-795001 (Manipur), India