Hon’ble Finance Minister had, in his Budget Speech 1999, announced the setting up of a National Bioresource Development Board (NBDB) under the Chairmanship of the Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology. In pursuance of this, the Department of Biotechnology had sought the approval of the Government for establishment of the same. The competent authority has approved the same.

PRIORITIES:
The first meeting of the Board held in January 2000 under the chairmanship of the Hon'ble Minister of Science and Technology identified three priorities: (a) preparation of digitized inventories of plant, animal, microbial, and marine resources, (b) R&D projects, programme support, establishment of Centres of excellence, training activities and demonstrations, for the development of bioresources for special areas such as north-eastern region, Himalayan region, coastal & island ecosystems, desert region, Indo-Gangetic plain and Peninsular India, (c) knowledge empowerment and human resource training would be a priority area for the Board.

STATUS OF ACTIVITIES
Three meetings of the Board, seven meetings of the Steering Committee and over forty meetings of Expert Groups have been held under the NBDB. During the year 2002-2003 the National Bioresource Development Board (NBDB) expanded its activities in many ways. The Board as well as the Steering Committee were reconstituted. The Steering Committee met twice during the year. The expert committees appointed by the Steering Committee held several meetings. The NBDB has continued with its resource and region-specific approaches. In addition, the Board has also supported projects on training, capacity building and awareness generation on bioresources. The salient features of these are presented below.

Digital inventorisation: Preparation of digitized inventories of all our important bioresources has been undertaken covering: medicinal plants, other economically important plants, animal, marine and microbial resources. Work on digitization of medicinal plants and other economically important plant resources is progressing very well. A fully functional laboratory with state-of-the-art equipments for GIS and database management has been set up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Center for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur Campus, Bangalore. Data sets on 2,500 species from 194 floras have been compiled. The data is now available at a resolution of 25x25 Km grid map for the entire country. In the medicinal plant inventory data for more than 700 plants have been put into the digitized format.
Work on preparation of digitized inventory of marine resources has progressed well. The total number of species that would be inventorised is around 5,000. So far information on 3,700 species has been collected and put in the digitized format. In the project on the inventory of microbial resources of India, data for more than 42,000 microorganisms has been collected. It is expected to include data for more than 50,000 microorganisms in the database. Under the project on the digitized inventory of animal resources, collection and feeding of data have been taken up. All the inventories are using the same computer software.

Natural dyes: An All-India coordinated research project on prospecting for food grade natural dyes from bioresources has been initiated, with six participating institutions. Temperate ranges of NW Himalayas and tropical areas of northern portion of Western Ghats were surveyed for collection of plant species having dye-yielding potential. As many as 106 plant species belonging to 88 genera distributed among 46 families from NW Himalaya (7000-9500 ft above m.s.l.) and 46 plant species from Northern-Western Ghats (1200 ft above m.s.l.) were collected and screened for colouring matters by chemical spot tests, chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Using standard color index developed by the Royal Horticulture Society of Kew (London) as many as 46 colour shades were observed. Different shades of yellow, orange and green were the dominating colours. The root was found to be the major source of yellow and orange colours and green colour was mainly obtained from leaves and stems.
Colouring matter was reported for the first time from 92 plants species. Twenty five Himalayan plant species have been identified as potential sources for colouring matters that are in high demand in food processing. These include members of Lamiaceae, Rubiaceae, Polygonaceae, Ranunculaceae and Pinaceae. The colouring matters isolated from Thalictrum javanicum, Meriandra strobilifera and Rumex hastatus are suspected to be new and novel ones. Thirteen colour extracts with high tinctorial value obtained from six targeted plant species from Kerala, were also evaluated using cotton, nylon, silk, curd, cheese and butter as substrate. Some of these have potential application in textile and food processing industries.
Thelepaepala ixiocephala (Karva), a unique species of Western Ghats that flowers once in seven years, was also examined for the colouring matter. A novel yellow coloured compound was identified and purified. A number of optical isomers have been isolated from air-dried roots of Arnebia nobilis, and these may also be of therapeutic value. Culture protocols for large-scale production of Dunaliella salina and D. bardawil have been developed. Methods have been standardized for isolation of stable and high quality b-carotene. Information on distribution, habit and natural colouring matter present in 600 dye-yielding plant species from India has also been documented.

Botanical pesticides: An All-India coordinated research project on development of environment friendly and plant-based pesticides has also been initiated during the year, with nine participating institutions. The test insects in the study are Helicoverpa armigera, Spodoptera litura, Plutella xyllostella, Bemisia tabacii, Aphis craccivora, Anopheles and Tetranychus sp. In this project, EID Parry is a partner and sponsor. Till date 172 plant/plant part samples have been collected, extracted and screened against the above-mentioned insects. Out of them 62 samples are showing positive results. The screening is done for pesticidal, larvicidal, Insect Growth Regulator (IGR), oviposition, attractant, deterrent, antifeedant and repellent activities, wherever applicable. Further, different activities of these compounds will be compared with commercial pesticides (positive control) and untreated checks. LC50 (Lethal Concentration) and LC90 (Lethal Concentration) will be calculated for the extracts showing positive results. The plant extracts indicating significant pesticidal activity will be evaluated through field-testing. A suitable eco-friendly formulation will then be developed.

Lac Biotechnology: The Board has recently initiated programmes on Lac Biotechnology entitled 'Biological, Chemical and Molecular Characterization of Lac Insect Host Plant Relationship'; 'Evaluation of bio-control agents and bio-rational approaches for management of lac insect predators'; 'Application of Molecular Fingerprinting for Genetic Characterization of Races and Species of Lac Insects and 'Schleichera oleosa (Lour.) Oken, a Lac host: In vitro propagation'.

Sugarcane Biotechnology: A project entitled 'Development of ESTs, gene identification and transformation in sugarcane' was recently to sanctioned to Indian Institute of Sugarcane Research, Lucknow and Department of Plant Molecular Biology, Delhi University, South Campus. The objectives of the project are Construction of general and subtracted cDNA libraries in sugarcane for ESTs specific to red-rot resistance, ESTs specific to excess-water stress (water-logging), ESTs specific to deficit-water stress (drought); sequencing and database search to assign the gene function; establishment of sugarcane cDNA bank; full-length sequencing and expression profiling of selected genes and transforming sugarcane with identification genes of economic importance.

Gums and Resins: The Board has recently sanctioned a project entitled 'Novel Chemo-Enzymatic Technology for the Food Fibre from Guar/Cassia tora Gums' to Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun. The objective of the project is to prepare low viscosity dietary fibre from Guar and Cassia tora seed gums. More projects on Biotechnology related to gums and resins have been invited.

Butterfly park: A unique project entitled "Butterfly Park - A Center for Research, Education and Rural Livelihood using Butterfly Resources" has been launched by NBDB during the year. The project would give a tremendous boost to ecotourism as well. Three components are butterfly park per se; a research component; and a training and education component. The butterfly park will be located in the Bannerghatta National Park Complex, Bangalore on a plot of eight acres. The centerpiece will be a display area of 1400m2 with a spectacular polycarbonate dome - complete with host plants, artificial feed and flowing water. Live butterflies would be bred as per seasonal availability, and displayed here in large numbers for viewing by people. The type of butterflies released would be based on a 'butterfly calendar' round the year. In order to facilitate the breeding, there will be butterfly rearing as well as plant-rearing houses. A museum containing working models, pictures and other information relating to butterflies and related insects is also planned along with the live display. The park would be maintained by the Zoo Authority of Karnataka, which will also be responsible for overall coordination of the project.
The major objectives of the research component will be - (i) development of a digitized database and distribution maps of butterflies and their host plants of Peninsular India; (ii) study of the community ecology of butterflies; and (iii) DNA fingerprinting and molecular phylogeny of butterflies. This component would be spearheaded by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore. The third component is training and education. This component will be dealt with by Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment, an NGO based in Bangalore.

Marine and coastal bioresources: In the integrated programme on conservation, inventorization and enhancement of coastal bioresources, status report of all the sites has been compiled and will be published soon. Based on the status report, two or three villages from each site have been selected for developing strategies for judicious utilization of locally available bioresources for livelihood options. Several interactive meetings have been carried out with different stakeholders and involving several government departments as well as NGOs to develop an action plan for bioresource-based sustainable enhancement and livelihood generation for dependent communities.
Characterization of mangrove bioresources in selected locations is being undertaken using molecular marker systems to assess the nature and extent of genetic diversity in them. Initially the dominant mangrove species of the regions were selected for the studies. Molecular marker-based genetic characterization of 28 mangrove species in Bhitarakanika mangrove forests were undertaken during the period. Species-specific genetic fingerprinting patterns have been observed. Based on the distribution and zonation patterns, dominant species such as Avicennia marina, Rhizophora mucronata and Xylocarpus granatum from different populations were selected for studying intraspecific genetic diversity. These studies will help in the consolidation of elite genotypes which could be useful in developing restoration strategy for the degraded mangrove locations. Enriched DNA libraries have been constructed in the mangrove associate species Porteresia coarctata with the aim of isolation of novel genetic material for resistance to abiotic stress factors. Using random sequencing approach, about 80 ESTs from the cDNA library have been sequenced from the 5' end. Sequence homology analysis has been carried out with the available gene sequences in the worldwide databases. Some of these clones do show similarity with other stress-related genes. Five clones with initiation codon have been selected for further studies in relation to their expression level as well as complete sequencing for obtaining full-length genes.

Himalayan bioresources: Three field surveys were conducted in localities such as Sangla, Kalpa, Ropa and Bhava valleys of Kinnaur and Pin valley of Lahaul-Spiti districts, H.P. during 2002. Field data on landscape pattern, availability, distribution pattern, population density and threats pertaining to the target economic plant resources (herbs, shrubs, trees, including farm crop diversity) of Zone-IV was collected. The size of quadrats used for sampling herbs, shrubs and trees were 1x1 m for herbs and farm crops, 5x5 m for shrubs and 20x20 m for tree species. From these, 2100 specimen belonging to 418 morpho-types/species/RTUs (recognised taxonomic units) were collected. Information on local traditional uses on about 50 species encountered during the field study was gathered by way of personal interviews. Some of the plants used for medicinal and other purposes are Aconitum heterophyllum (root for stomach ache), Arnebia euchroma (root as hair dye), Artemisia maritima (aerial part as insect repellent), Bergenia stracheyi (root for jaundice), Hippophae salicifolia (fruits for urinary trouble), Prunus armeniaca (seed oil for massage), Viola pilosa (whole plant for gastric trouble), and Rheum australe (root for sprains).
In another project on domestication, characterization conservation and sustainable utilization of endangered medicinal plants of Himachal Pradesh, 26 collections of Valeriana jatamansi, eight of Picrorhiza kurroa and 12 of Hypericum perforatum have been made and experiments are conducted to determine the best propagation and domestication techniques. In Valaeriana jatamansi, valepotriates were maximum (6.4%) in samples collected from 2280 m above msl. In Hypericum perforatum, hypericin was maximum (0.69%) in samples collected from 3000 m above msl. H. perforatum samples from cultivated crop at pre-flowering, bud initiation and flowering stages showed 0.08, 0.34 and 0.60% hypericin respectively. In Picrorhiza kurroa picroside I was maximum (48.5%) in cultivated plants and picroside II was maximum (56.06%) in plants collected at an altitude of 2300m. In a third project on Himalayan resources, the focus is to collect and compile the existing data on microbial and mushroom resources of Himachal Pradesh and to isolate, characterize and identify microbes from cold desert areas of Chamba, Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur Districts. The microorganisms associated with the rhizosphere of the common agricultural/horticulrtural/forest plants/trees, soils and traditional foods and beverages are being identified. Emphasis is also being given to isolate nitrogen-fixing and phosphate-solubilising organisms or nitrile-degrading bacteria for exploring their potential as sources of biochemicals, biocatalysts or other bioactive compounds in future. A microbial germplasm bank has also been established at the Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla.
A Bioresource Development Unit has been recently set up at the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT), Palampur. The major activities of the unit would be: (a) Survey, inventorization and characterization of plant and viral resources of landscape types of Western Himalaya in Himachal Pradesh; (b) Conservation and sustainable utilization of bioresources; (c) Introduction of novel and economically important plant species & product development (d) Technology development and transfer and (e) Training and capacity building.

Training, capacity building and awareness on bioresources: A number of programmes on capacity building and awareness generation have been initiated by the Board.

Biotechnology complex for women: A biotechnology complex for capacity building and economic upliftment with particular reference to women of the Indian Himalayan region has been established at the old campus of G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora. Under this project, simple to use and practicable technologies are being demonstrated in the Rural Biotechnology Complex and at selected field sites (10) through different organizations. Demonstrations of bio-compost, vermicompost, biofertilizer, protected cultivation, fish farming, water harvesting, cultivation of medicinal & aromatic plants, mushroom cultivation, biofencing, biobriquetting etc. have been set up in the complex. A total of 91 training/awareness programmes were conducted during April 2001 to June 2003 and 3974 persons (1901 males & 2073 females) including farmers/NGOs/Gos/Mahila Mangal Dals, Students etc., from different parts of the region have been trained in different technology packages. The available hill specific technologies have been documented in easy to read form in Hindi and for providing information about functions and activities of the Rural Biotechnology Complex, information folders have been published both in Hindi as well as in English. Further, after receiving training, a large number of people (2078) have adopted these technologies in the field; continous guidance and required materials are being provided to them.

Training on coastal bioresource development and management: This project has been initiated at the Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai with the basic aim of training and educating the personnel involved in various developmental activities related to coastal zone activities such fisheries, industries, banking organizations, NGO's and Universities. The emphasis is on integrated, inter-disciplinary and multi-sectoral management approach for effective utilization of coastal bioresources. A total of four training-cum-mass awareness programmes at village level on three topics have been conducted in four coastal states (Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal) at eight different places by CIFE. About 400 people have been trained at the village level.

Awareness generation on bioresources among tribal & rural youth and general public: A project for education of tribal and rural youth on bioresource conservation, inventorisation and sustainable utilization has been supported at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), Wayanad, Kerala. The objectives of the project are to promote knowledge on biodiversity heritage and create awareness among tribal and rural youth and to improve the quality of student educational service using a multi-(diverse)-media training programme. Attempts have been made towards confidence building among the children and others who were not showing much interest initially to come forward. A detailed curriculum has been developed. Initially only tribal children were invited to join, as they hesitate to come forward along with other non-tribal children. Now the children's team involves the non-tribal children as well. A total of 100 children have been admitted ( 44 scheduled tribes, 30 non-tribal communities, mainly the children of self-help group members formed by MSSRF, and 26 from the model village project of MSSRF). Common programmes conducted for all age groups include confidence building, ability to communicate, reading habits, identification of plants, nursery raising, ecosystem study, field trips including discussions with farmers, star watching, craft work, songs about nature, cultural programmes, personality development, group discussion, bird watching, butterfly watching with study on host plants and news paper making.
A project on creating information modules for use in multimedia packaging has been initiated at Gene Campaign, New Delhi to generate information in simple and easy-to-understand language, highlighting the international treaties and undertakings such as WTO/TRIPS, and national legislations related to bioresources. A reference manual has been prepared on national and international issues related to bioresources, intellectual property rights and indigenous knowledge. These issues have also been presented in the form of four wall magazines in a simplified manner for students at higher secondary and college level. This information will also be replicated in the form of an interactive CD, which will be very user friendly.

Vacation training on bioresources for school children: Eight vacation-training programmes on bioresources for school children have been successfully conducted during the year 2002-2003 and 2003-2004. Out of this, five programmes have been conducted this year. This year the first programme conducted by ATREE, Bangalore, 30 students from schools in Bangalore participated in the programme. The duration of the programme was four weeks. In the programme conducted by WII, Dehra Dun and IHBT, Palampur, 30 students from schools in Uttranchal and Himachal participated in the programme. The duration the programme was four weeks. In the programme conducted by MSSRF, Chennai, 20 students from schools in Chennai participated in the programme which was for a duration of three weeks. In the programme conducted by NBRI, Lucknow, 30 students from schools in Lucknow participated in the programme. The duration of the programme was six weeks. In the programme conducted by NMNH, Delhi and ATREE, Delhi, 30 students from schools in Delhi participated in the programme. The duration of the programme was four weeks. In each of these programmes, the course consists of interactive lectures, hands-on lab & fieldwork and individual projects of relevance to the students. These training courses were highly appreciated by the participants. This is a unique activity immensely benefiting the children. It is intended to expand this substantially. IBIN Current Nodes National Remote Sensing Agency Hyderabad Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun University Of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore Bioresource Data Data Providers 08 Collections Records Data Providers National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA), Hyderabad Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS), Dehradun BPMT (DBT Programme) Networking Institutes University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK Bangalore National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) Lucknow Zoological Survey of India (ZSI),Kolkatta Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTEC) Chandigarh Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi, Kerala.