Our correspondent
Imphal, March 28:Scientists and experts have expressed the need to prioritise couple of rare and important bio-resources available in the North Eastern states to make a global level product for the upliftment of the socio-economy of the region as well as the country.
“Even though North Eastern region is said to be the goldmine of biodiversity, we’re yet to prioritise our bio-resources and specific species,” says Former Director of Prof RR Rao Botanical Survey of India. “So the time has come to prioritise it to make a global level product.”
Prof RR Rao was speaking to media on the second day of the three day International Conference on Natural Resources Management and Technological Trends which commenced at Manipur University Court Hall, about 6 km south of here on Tuesday.The conference was organised by centre of advanced study, department of life science, Manipur University in collaboration with state level agency for watershed management, planning department, government of Manipur with the support of north eastern council and it was attended by around 300 delegates including foreign ones.
“I think the universities in the region also should focus on such move as part of proper management of the bio resources of the region for a sustainable livelihood,” former BSI director added.
The three day International Conference on Natural Resources Management and Technological Trends was organised in an attempt to bring together scientists, researchers, technologists, administrators, and policy makers to discuss new technologies trends and see how they can be implemented at grass root level to meaningful knowledge and discoveries, said Prof Asha Gupta, a key person of the organizing body and head of centre of advanced study, department of life science, Manipur University.
Deputy Indo-Burma group of IUCN Asia Petch Manopawitr who was also among the delegates during the conference told the media that the time has come for everyone to initiate a multidisciplinary move to conserve the nature by introducing nature based solutions.
On the other hand, Prof Terry Tucker of from Cornell University USA also expressed the need to convince policy makers for effective management of natural resources in a place like Manipur and North East India which have a rich biodiversity. Sharing a similar sentiment, RK Sunita, another main organizer and state government official said with such an attempt in mind the conference was organised to do something better than nothing.
