STATE BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAMME,

 GOVT. OF UTTARAKHAND

   

            Vision :

   

Initiatives and Achievements

  1. State Biotechnology Programme (SBP) was formally started in Feb. 2003 from U.A.S. & T.D.C., Haldi. Following the renovation of the old University Farm House building at Haldi, Biotech Bhavan was established in December 2003. Biotech Bhavan was formally inaugurated (electronically) by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri N.D. Tiwari ji, on 30.1.2004, in a function held at Dehradun and presided over by Hon’ble Dr. Smt. Indira Hridayesh ji.

  2.  In the same function Hon’ble Chief Minister had announced to establish a Centre of Excellence on Mountain Biology (CEMB) at Haldi; a proposal to this effect has been submitted to DBT, Government of India, for assistance.

  3.  Laboratory block of CEMB, a conference hall and library are under construction in the Biotech Bhavan compound with financial assistance from the State Govt.; the construction work is expected to be completed in the next two and half months. Provision of some funds has also been made for equipments and furniture.

  4. State Biotechnology Policy (draft; in Hindi & English) and a Directory of Experts and Institutions in Biotech and related areas in Uttarakhand have also been released during the function held on 30th January, 2004. 

  5. A Statewide Workshop on "Integrated Development of Biotechnology in Uttarakhand" was organized on 29-30 January, 2004 at Dehradun.

  6.  MOU for establishment of a "Plant Tissue Culture Lab”, initially for taking up Bamboo propagation, was signed between the State Forest Department and Saveer Biotech Ltd., New Delhi under PPP mode, at FVTI, Haldwani in July 2004.  

  7. A DBT sponsored three year "Network Programme for the establishment of Bamboo plantations Uttarakhand" was started in 2004-05 under the overall coordination of SBP, in partnership with Uttarakhand Bamboo and Fibre Development Board and the State Forest Department. For initiating plantations of elite bamboo species yet another programme has been launched in the State under the National Bamboo Mission by Uttarancahl Bamboo and Fibre Development Board.

  8. M.Sc. course on Medical Biotechnology and a three year B.Sc. degree course in Biotechnology have been started in Dr. (Smt.) Sushila Tiwari Memorial Medical College, Haldwani and M.B. Govt. Degree College, Haldwani, respectively from the current academic session. In addition M.Sc. (Agri Biotech) programme has been running in Pantnagar University for the past many years; semester based M.Sc. (Gen. Biotech) courses have also been started in I.I.T. Roorkee as well as Kumaun University, Nainital and Garhwal University, Srinagar.  Department of Biotechnology, IIT, Roorkee, is also planning a B.Tech. course from the next academic session.        

  9. The Management Council of Pantnagar University had approved the proposal of providing 1000 acres of land for the establishment of Biotech Park at Haldi, Pantnagar; part payment ( Rs. 2.75 crores) in lieu of land has also been made to the University in March, 2004. Hon’ble Chief Minister has laid the foundation stone for the Biotech Park on  11th May, 2005.

  10. The year 2004 was announced as "Year of Scientific Awareness" by the Ministry of Science & Technology, Govt. of India (extended upto 31st March, 2005). The State Biotech Program participated actively in it and a "Sugam Science Kit" was developed and inaugurated by the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand on Teachers Day (Sept. 5, 2004). The kit has been developed for the far-flung rural areas of the state to make the science education interesting. It has been displayed at the National level celebrations held at New Delhi on 2 Oct. 2004 and on 28 February, 2005 during the National Science Day, organized by DST, GoI. Efforts are in progress for distribution of this kit to schools in the State through Uttarakhand S & T Council.

  11. The State Biotechnology Program had successfully participated in National Children’s Science Congress held during December 2004 at Gauhati, Assam, and in many other State/ National Workshops and also as Co-organizer of various events.

  12. The State Biotechnology Program participated in Bangalore BIO-2005 held in April, 2005, both in the Trade Show and the Symposium.  Biotech Programme of Uttarakhand State  also participated in 4th CII Biotech. Mission to U.S.A. in June, 2005, with Hon’ble Dr. Smt. Indira Hridayesh ji leading the Uttarakhand delegation. Folders and CDs (3 in number) containing relevant information about Uttarakhand, including Biotechnology, were distributed to interested parties/individuals during this programme.

  13. Ernst & Young and Ramky Infrastructure Group have been jointly appointed as Project Advisor for Pantnagar Biotech Park following scrutiny  and presentations by all seven applicants who had submitted EOI/ detailed technical and financial bids. The Project Advisor has made physical inspection of the proposed site and a presentation has already been made by them before the Hon’ble Chief Minister on 26.7.05.

  14. In order to promote HRD in the area of Biotechnology in Uttarakhand, a consultative meeting was organized on 3.6.2005 under the chair of Additional Chief Secretary; a total of 21 experts from twelve institutions from the State participated in this meeting. As per the recommendations of this meeting, a task force of experts is being constituted for guiding the growth of Biotechnology sector in the State. For providing further impetus to HRD in Biotechnology in the State, a decision has been taken to award merit based 10 Ph.D. level scholarships and 50 M.Sc. level scholarships in the area of Biotechnology; the proposal would be implemented following concurrence of the Finance Division.

  15. The process of constituting Uttarakhand Bio-technology Vision Group has been started.

  16. Following the approval of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri N.D. Tiwari ji, Dr. (Smt.) Manju Sharma (Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India) has been appointed Chief Scientific Advisor in the State of Uttarakhand.