ANNUAL REPORT - Department of Biotechnology

Inauguration of Butterfly Park by Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon.'ble Minister of
Science & Technology and Earth Sciences.
� Pathanga Bharathi - A database CD on butterflies
of India has been developed
� Pathanga Suchya - An interactive CD for
identification of common butterflies of peninsular
India has been developed.
Capacity Building Programmes:
A Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) sub-centre
at Nilambur established a Bioresources Nature Trail
in an area of 5ha. The landscaping of the Nature trail
is completed for the conservation and separate
theme areas have been set up for the lower groups of
plants such as algae and bryophytes, pteridophytes,
plants found in specialized ecological niche such as
xerophytes (cacti and succulents) and hydrophytes
(aquatic plants), beneficial plants (medicinal plants),
ornamental and aesthetic plants (orchids) with
special reference to endemic and rare, endangered
and threatened species of Kerala. Propagules of over
700 species of plants have been collected and
introduced in the thematic areas of the nature trail. A
gymnosperm garden with five native species and
certain exotic species, which are of academic interest
is being established in the Nature Trail. Thallpohyte
and Bryophyte specimens are also displayed in a
specially designed shade house with mist and drip
irrigation facilities. The trail is being also equipped to
provide the know-how for conservation of Kerala's
biodiversity for the visitors.
DBT Annual Report 2006-07
68
At MSSRF, Wayanad about 100 students in the age
group 6-16 years including school dropouts have
been made aware of the importance of the
bioresources. The activity has generated a high
demand from various segments including schools,
NGO's, farmers groups, nature clubs, and parentteacher
associations for starting similar programme
in their locations. Children attending this programme
have started awareness programme in their locality
about water-soil conservation and importance of
organic farming.
Under the project entitled “Involving India's high
school / junior college community in inventorying and
monitoring of biodiversity” supported at Indian
Institute of Science, Bangalore, a number of schools
and panchayats have been identified in Karnataka,
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to
implement the project. Participating students have
completed data collection. Information collected is
being entered into the software called PeBInfo
(People's Biodiversity Information).
Twenty one Vacation training programme on
Bioresources for school children were conducted
benefiting about 600 children.
Under the programme for the Visually Challenged,
workshops were organized at MSSSRF, Chennai for
teachers and heads of various blind schools. A Braille
embosser was installed along with softwares for
conversion of text to Braille and vice versa. An audio
system with walkman has been set up at the garden
for the students to listen to the additional resources
developed in audio format.
A capacity building programme for college and
university lecturers on Bioresources and
Biotechnology in Sustainable Development has also
been supported. Under the programme training to the
College teachers was imparted on thematic areas
such as: Thematic areas of the Workshop include: (i)
Relevance of Theme in Science and Society; (ii)
Ecological Bioresources and Biotechnology; (iii)
Economic Bioresources and Biotechnology; and (iv)
Socio-Economic, Legal and Ethical Issues Linked to
Bioresources.