Union Minister Harsh Vardhan with other officials at the inauguration of IBSD Meghalaya at 6th Mile, Upper Shillong on July 28.
Shillong, July 28 (MExN): Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Harsh Vardhan inaugurated Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development (IBSD), a national institute of Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, in Meghalaya at 6th Mile, Upper Shillong on July 28.
In his address to a gathering of academicians, scientists, students, farmers, entrepreneurs and unemployed youth at IBSD, Vardhan remarked that IBSD will provide a platform for bio-based entrepreneurship not only for the State of Meghalaya, but can serve as the hub of the entire North East region.
He also announced the setting up the state of the art orchidarium in Meghalaya and distributed orchid saplings to the women entrepreneurs, farmers and unemployed youth of the State, informed a press release issued by Albert Chiang on behalf of IBSD. The Union Minister further requested the State government to provide a piece of land and all support to IBSD for the development of orchid based-entrepreneurship.
Hamletson Dohling, Minister for Urban Affairs including Municipal Administration, Information Technology, Government of Meghalaya, who also represents the area in the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, assured that IBSD’s requirements will be taken up by the State government.
“The main mandate of IBSD is the conservation and sustainable utilization of bioresources for the socio-economic development of the region,” said IBSD director, Professor Dinabandhu Sahoo. He added IBSD Meghalaya has been set up to identify the unique bio resources of the State to boost the bio-economy and promote bioentrepreneurship for the benefit of the entrepreneurs and unemployed youth of the region. Sahoo also said that IBSD can catalyze the formation of a cluster with all the research and academic institutions of the State to develop bio-based enterprises and boost the green economy.
With this setup, IBSD has established its physical presence with high-end facilities and infrastructure in Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Mizoram.
