Maharashtra Cabinet has given its approval for the ‘Maharashtra Gene Bank’ in order to conserve genetic resources in Maharashtra including marine diversity, seeds of local crops, and animal diversity.
The government also sanctioned Rs 172.39 crore for implementing the action plan for the next five years. Earlier, the Maharashtra government budget had created a separate account head for the same, which will benefit the local communities using traditional and scientific knowledge for sustainable development. The Maharashtra State Biodiversity Board (MSBB) will implement the project and will be examined by committees under the chief secretary and the principal secretary (forests).
The ‘Maharashtra Gene Bank Project’ will work on seven areas:
- Marine biodiversity
- Local crop/seed varieties
- Indigenous cattle breeds
- Freshwater biodiversity
- Grassland, scrubland, and animal grazing land biodiversity
- Conservation and management plans for areas under forest right
- Rejuvenation of forest areas.
