3rd, July, 2022

 

 

Topic: Institute

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• The 40th anniversay of establishment of the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT), Palampur.

 

Director of the institute, Dr Sanjay Kumar presented an annual report of the institute for 2021-22. He said:

• Under the Phase II of the Aroma Mission, the institute covered an area of 1,398 hectares under aromatic crops and expanded its cultivation in 12 states and two Union Territories.
• During the year, Himachal Pradesh maintained its position as the top producer of marigold oil in the country with a production of 7.3 tonnes of oil with institutional efforts.
• As part of the floricultural mission, the area was expanded to 350 hectares, benefiting 1,004 farmers.

 

About Aroma Mission:

• It was launched in 2016 to boost the cultivation of plants like lavender,Aloe Vera, Mehndi,Menthol, Mint which have aromatic medicinal properties through new technology developed by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).

 

About Floriculture Mission:

• India has a rich bio – diversity of attractive flowers in the wild with high potential as cultivable ornamentals. CSIR-Floriculture mission is a farm based income generating enterprise having high potential to earn foreign exchange and generate employment for rural and urban youths.

 

Dr T Ramasami, former secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, delivered a speech on “Towards sustainable bioeconomy path of Himalayan biosphere”.What he shared:

• Apart from highlighting the contributions made by CSIR-IHBT in society over the last 40 years, Dr Ramasami also suggested to focus upon developing technological solutions for sustainable bioeconomy.
• He is of the opinion that CSIR-IHBT has to play a crucial role of serving the nation as a path towards a sustainable economy using resources available in Himalayan biosphere. He emphasized on three pillars for sustainable development, that is bearable, equitable and viable.

 

About CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT):

CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) is situated at Palampur (HP) in the lap of western Himalayas with a vision “to be a global leader in technologies for boosting bioeconomy through sustainable utilization of Himalayan Bioresources”.

Mission:

• The institute has a mission “to discover, innovate, develop and disseminate the processes, products and technologies from Himalayan Bioresources for society, industry, environment and academia”.
• Accordingly, the institute has a mandate to work on basic as well as translation research around Himalayan environment, industrial and commercial crops, fruits, food & Nutraceuticals, industrial enzymes, microbial-, fungal- and algal resources for developing diversified technologies (agro-technology, bio-technology, chemical technology, dietetics & nutrition technology, and environmental technology) through multifaceted state-of-the-art facilities.

(News Source: The Tribune)

 

 

Topic: Geography (River) of Himachal

 

Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains

 

What is the news?

• The Chairman of the State Finance Commission today laid the foundation stone for a bridge across the Swan River tributary in the village of Basoli.

 

About Swan River of Una:

• Una lies in the south-western part of Himachal Pradesh, with the Sivalik Hills of the Himalayas rolling on one side. The Satluj River runs along Shahtalai Hills, known for the Baba Balak Nath Shrine.
• Altitudes vary from over 408 metres in the city of Una to over 1000 metres in Chintpurni. Una district is bounded by the river Beas on the north and the river Satluj in the east, the Swan River which is basically seasonal river flows 65 km right across the Jaswan Valley towards south until it submerges in the Sutlej river near Anandpur.

(News Source: The Tribune)