The Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Forests, Lyonpo (Dr.) Pema Gyamtsho inaugurated the Bioprospecting Laboratory at the National Biodiversity Centre (NBC), Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Serbithang on 22nd November 2012. The function was attended by the Secretary of National Environment Commission, Director of Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC), Director of SAARC Forestry Centre, and senior officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Gross National Happiness Commission, Institute of Traditional Medicine Services of the Ministry of Health, and Intellectual Property Division of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
The Bioprospecting program of NBC was initiated in the 10th Five Year Plan under the directives of the Ministry and with the financial support from Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation (BTFEC). The technical support in setting up the program, especially the laboratory and capacity building was provided by Nimura Genetics Solutions, Japan under the Memorandum of Agreement signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and Nimura Genetics Solutions in 2010.
The primary mandate of the bioprospecting program is to conduct exploration and research on biological resources of the country for natural product development and bio-discovery as well as to implement the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) regime related to biological resources and traditional knowledge associated with biological resources. Thus, the Bioprospecting laboratory is an integral facility for the implementation of the program.
For more information on the event,click: http://www.moaf.gov.bt/moaf/?p=12347
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