Initiation of ‘ Himalayan Seed bank’

Sunday, 08 January, 2012 21:29 Written by amitpoudyal

0 Comments

The concept of ´Himalayan Seed Bank´ has initiated by Ministry of Science and Technology for the conservation of the rare and near-extinct plants.

Deciding to establish 'Himalayan Seed bank'

Minister for Science and Technology Kalpana Dhamala said the government has started the preservation campaign as the rare species of plants are on the verge of extinction on the press meet held at the ministry premises.

According to the minister, Department of Botany under Nepal Academy of Science and Technology would be entrusted with the responsibility to begin the process of establishing such bank.
More than 100 plants including algae and mushrooms are on the verge of extinction especially in the Himalayan region, and this had led to the formation of the bank to carry out conservation efforts in this regard, said minister Dhamala.
An Italian research agency Ev-K2-CNR has signed the deal with the NAST to set up the Himalayan Seed Bank. The Italian delegation comprising its president Agostino Da Polenza, Consul General of Italy in Kolkatta Joel Melchiori among other have recently met Minister Dhamala at the Ministry, Singhadurbar and discussed the prospects of the Bank.