CSIR- Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology celebrated its 37th Foundation Day on 2nd July, 2019. Prof. Akhilesh Kumar Tyagi, JC Bose National Fellow, Department of Plant Molecular Biology, University of Delhi delivered the Foundation Day Lecture on “Approaching Bioeconomy through Agri-biotechnology”. In his address, Prof. Tyagi raised the issues of bioeconomy and how to enhance it through biotechnological interventions. He stressed on the importance of using agri-biotechnological means for solving food security problems of the country. In his views, one of the sector where our organization should intervene is the bioeconomy of Indian medicinal plants. He elaborated current research in the area of genomics or producing high quality hybrid seeds in our food crops such as rice, tomato, chickpea etc. He also briefed about the Earth BioGenome Project, by which 1000 species of plants and animals of our country have to be sequenced. He also informed about the advantages of Genome Editing by which it is possible to edit the genes inside the body of animals and animals. At last he raised the issues of adopting genetically modified crops for raising our bioeconomy.Before his address, Director CSIR-IHBT, Dr. Sanjay Kumar presented the Annual Report 2018-19. He told that CSIR-IHBT had made entry into SCImago Institutional rankings in the previous year with 9th position, which further increased to 7th position this year. CSIR-IHBT has been recognized as a nodal lab for implementing various projects across 20 CSIR-labs under the theme, Agri-Nutri-Biotech to develop agro-technologies for boosting farmers income through commercially important crops and to foster value added products of industrial and societal relevance through scientific interventions. He told that research on “Bioprospection of Microbiome from Himalayan Niches” was undertaken for exploration of microbial diversity of Himalayan region for biotechnological applications. Exploring the microbes of Himalaya, our institute has developed an efficient L-asparaginase enzyme with no glutiminase activity for which institute is now targeting the global market of industrial enzymes. This enzyme is particularly useful in treating acute lymphocytic leukemia.
He further told that under the CSIR Phytopharmaceutical Mission, about 1.5 crore quality planting material of Stevia rebaudiana was raised for nation-wide cultivation. Additionally, 1.40 lakh quality plants were also raised and 40 acres of land was brought under captive cultivation of threatened medicinal species such as Valeriana jatamansi, Picrorhiza kurroa, Saussurea lappa and Inula racemosa. Under CSIR-Aroma mission, farmers in different districts of Himachal Pradesh and other states were empowered by CSIR-IHBT and the area under the crops viz., wild marigold, damask rose, Indian valerian and lemongrass in HP was extended to 256 ha. With 7.6 tonnes of high grade tagetes oil, the state became the highest producer of tagetes oil and benefited 728 farmer families. Besides, he also shared that CSIR-IHBT has developed preservative and additive free multigrain protein mix utilizing cereals, millets, pulses and instant soup mixes for protein and micronutrient malnutrition. Among these products, Vitamin D enriched Shitake mushroom and iron and zinc fortification through microalgae Spirulina have also been developed. As a relief measure, one lakh units of protein and fibre enriched cereal bars, and ready to eat Khichdi were distributed to Kerala floods affected areas.Dr. Saroj K. Barik, Director, CSIR-NBRI, Lucknow was Guest of Honour and addressed the august gathering. Dr. Barik highlighted the multitude problems of Himalaya and the challenges for solving major issues using bioresources based technologies.Chief Guest Prof. Sudhir K. Sopory, SERB Distinguished Scientist, ICGEB New Delhi and former VC Jawahar Lal Nehru University chaired the programme. In his Presidential address, he spoke about the importance of management of vast amount of knowledge which is being generated. He suggested that it is the need of the hour to integrate different domains in knowledge and come out with specific outcomes useful for the society.On this occasion institute’s Annual Report 2018-19 was released. An updated version of Technological Profile of IHBT, CSIR-IHBT Handbook of General Rules and Regulations, four technical folders on agro-technology of Calla lily, Indian Valerian, Superfoods (Quinoa and Chia) were also released.In this programme, Taiwanese delegation led by Dr. Fang-Rong Chang, Director, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine also participated. Prof. S. K. Sharma, Ex-Vice Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University and Dr. Kshama Maitre, Director Chinmaya Mission also graced the occasion. Former scientists, CSIR-IHBT, scientists from different research institutions, research scholars, students, industrialists, prominent citizens and media personnel participated in the programme.