Context

Recently, the Maharashtra Cabinet accepted and cleared the proposition of a gene bank that aims to conserve and protect the genetic resources within the state. 

About

About Gene Bank Project:

• A first-of-its-kind project in India, it will be executed by the forest department of the state. 
• The preservation also includes marine and animal diversity, along with the seeds of locally grown crops.
• This project was piloted by the Maharashtra Government’s Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission.
• It will now be continued by the State Biodiversity Board, to ensure the sustenance and growth of the project.
• Aim: to document native natural resources and conserve them with the help of the local community that will ensure not just biodiversity conservation but also inclusion of traditional knowledge.
• The Maharashtra Gene Bank is unique because it has tried to authenticate traditional knowledge by scientific institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, and the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa.
• The government also sanctioned Rs 172.39 crore for implementing the action plan for the next five years.
• Seven main themes identified for the Gene Bank work:
  • 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, and
  • rejuvenation of forest areas