Uttarakhand to set up Bio-tech park

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand biotechnology department has decided to set up a biotech park in the hill state in order to promote industries based on the technology. “Uttarakhand being particularly rich in biodiversity aims to convert its bio-wealth into economic wealth through the application of biotechnology by promoting industries based on the above and set up biotech park,” the department said in its recently released annual progress report for the year 2010-11.

The proposal for the biotech park came under the state biotechnology programme which seeks to attract entrepreneurs for setting up biotechnology-based industries in the hill state either in an industrial estate mode or dispersed in smaller pockets throughout the state. The programme also promotes agro-farming and encourage cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in the state.

The park is expected to house modern biotechnological facility , including bio-incubator and basic infrastructure and common facilities like modern equipments, green house, animal house, business centre and laboratories. The report said the department has also decided to establish Centre of Excellence on Mountain Biology ( CEMB) which intends to promote R & D work relevant to the needs of the hilly region along with state-of-the-art facilities for ex-situ and in-situ conservation and promotion.