Centre with Potential for Excellence in Biodiversity

Brief History & Background

Arunachal Pradesh is located between 26º28’to 29º30’ N and 91º30’ to 97º30’ E with 83,743km2 in north-east India. The state is undoubtedly the richest terrestrial biodiversity region in India. The huge (81.37%) forest cover, zoo-geographic location, altitudinal variation, various vegetation, high rainfall, different climate regimes etc., contribute in making Arunachal Pradesh an extremely rich biodiversity region. The biodiversity resources of the state are mostly inaccessible due to rugged mountainous terrain and bottleneck surface communication. Subsequently, biological diversity is remained relatively less explored and studied by scientist. With this backdrop, a mega proposal was prepared to carry out a diversified research on biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh and the proposal was submitted to University Grant Commission (UGC), New Delhi, in 2002 under the leadership of Prof. K. K. Dwivedi, the then Vice-Chancellor of the Arunachal University ( Now renamed as Rajiv Gandhi University). The proposal was considered by UGC and Rajiv Gandhi University has been recognized as one of the University with Potential for Excellence in (particular area). Under this scheme the Department of Zoology & Botany of this University has been recognized as the “centre with potential for excellence in biodiversity (CPEB)” in the year, 2002, vide UGC DO Letter No. F14-2/99(IUC/UNIV. Excellence, dated 23rd May, 2002.

Consequent upon the establishment of centre, a sum of Rs.300 lakhs was released to Rajiv Gandhi University as a onetime grant as financial assistant (vide UGC D.O. letter No.F-1/15/2002 (NS), dated 29th October, 2003) to undertake the diversified exploration on biodiversity in Arunachal Pradesh. UGC constituted a Research advisory committee drawing experts from various reputed universities of the country with join Secretary, UGC, New Delhi, as it member Secretary, to give proper guidance for carrying out research activities of the centre. The centre undertook the diversified and scientific exploration on biodiversity to generate base line data on the biological diversity in the state. The centre carried out research on the following identified thrust areas:

1. Survey and exploration of Higher Plant diversity.
2. Survey and exploration of Microbial diversity.
3. Survey and exploration of Fish diversity
4. Survey and exploration of insect diversity.

The centre carried out the diversified research satisfactorily and so far able to generate sufficient data on the flora and fauna of the state. Particularly, the baseline data created on higher plant diversity, microbe diversity, Fish diversity and Insect diversity has laid a foundation for further research on the rich biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh. During the tenure of the programme, the centre also able to developed database on the findings of plant and animal diversity as digitized information system using IT tools RDBMS. Research networking and collaboration in different thrust areas was also established with different reputed National and International institutes. These include State Forest Research Institute (SFRI), Itanagar, North East Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST),Itanagar, Zoological Survey of India, Kolkatta, Botanical Survey of India, Kolkatta , G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environmental Studies, Itanagar, Manipur University, Imphal, Tezpur University, Assam, Jorhat Agricultural University, Assam, Jadav University, West Bengal, National Bureau of Fish Genetic Research, Lucknow, Directorate of Cold Water Fisheries, Bhimtal, Central Institute of Fish and Aquaculture, Bhubaneswar, Uppsala University, Sweden and Hey Herbarium, United Kingdom (UK).

The Expert Committee visited the Centre with potential for Excellence in Biodiversity (CPEB) to review its progress on 3rd – 4th November, 2011. The report was placed before University Grant commission (UGC) on 13th of February, 2012. UGC approved to extend the CPEB for further period of 5 years w.e.f 2011-2012 ( vide UGC DO letter NO. F1-15/2002/2011, dated 20th March, 2011). The UGC recommended Prof. H. N. Sarma as coordinator for the programme in the 2nd phase. In the 2nd phase, new thrust areas was identified, in addition to the already identified thrust areas of the 1st phase. Consequent upon the order, UGC released 700 lakhs for the extended programme of the CPEB (vide UGC DO letter NO. F1-15/2002/2011, dated 20th March, 2011). Subsequently, the 2nd Phase activities started with the 1st Advisory Committee meeting on 18th September, 2012. The Advisory Committee as per UGC recommendation, four research groups were constituted covering the thrust areas identified in the programme. The research groups constituted in the 2nd phase are as follows

1. Phytochemical analysis and its validation( for Reproductive Physiology and others
2. Fish biology and Nutrition Biology
3. Microbiology
4. Wildlife Biology

In the 2nd phase, Advance Post Graduate Diploma in Biodiversity (APGDB) , one year Diploma ( two semesters) has been introduced to develop expertise and manpower resources on Biodiversity and its conservation and sustainable use.
Central Equipment facility
The highly dedicated faculty members of Life Science (Zoology and Botany department) along devoted research scholars are involved enthusiastically in research activities to generate a comprehensive data on the biodiversity of the state and to build CPEB, Rajiv Gandhi University a reputed and permanent Centre of Excellence in Biodiversity.