IMPHAL, Jan 20 � The new Director of Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), Imphal has called on the people of the State to initiate bio-based industries considering its rich bio-resources.
�We�re thinking of developing Manipur into a model State in this regard,� said the new Director Prof Dinabandhu Sahoo of IBSD, a national institute under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, located at Takyelpat in Imphal.
�The development of bio-based industry as sustainable development of the region is high on the agenda. Once Manipur is developed as a model State, it can be replicated in other parts of the country,� he added.
Stating that there are no big industries in the entire north-eastern region, Manipur in particular, Prof Dinabandhu said Manipur is rich in bio-resources. �We thought of taking up the initiative to translate the research findings and data into commercial purposes for sustainable livelihood of the people here,� he said.
A Botanist from Delhi University, Prof Dinabandhu, along with Abhiram Seth, former executive director of Pepsico India and managing director of Delhi-based AquaAgri Pvt. Ltd, was speaking to media-persons on �Business Opportunities through Sustainable Utilization of Bio-resources of Manipur� at the IBSD premises recently.
�We have identified some of the items/issues for the initiative as high value products. These items/issues include local black rice (chak hao), orchids and conservation of the Loktak Lake and Shirui Lily,� he added. The development of orchids on a commercial scale, like in Thailand, will bring economic change in the region, he felt.
The health of the Loktak Lake, which is facing ecological threats, need to be restored and developed besides taking up similar steps in case of Shirui Lily.
