Arunachal proposes India’s first Germplasm Bank, bioeconomy hub to boost science and conservation

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 12, 2025

In a strategic push to position Arunachal Pradesh as a national leader in biodiversity conservation and bioeconomic innovation, Women and Child Development Minister Dasanglu Pul met Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on Friday with a slate of high-impact proposals.

At the top of Pul’s agenda was the establishment of India’s first Ex-Situ Germplasm Bank in Arunachal Pradesh—a pioneering initiative to preserve rare and economically valuable plant species native to the region. She also proposed creating an Eastern Arunachal Regional Centre for Bioresource Management and Development, aimed at sustainably leveraging the state’s vast ecological wealth.

Pul pitched the creation of a Bio-NEST Bioincubator in Roing, a facility to support biotech startups and research-based enterprises, with a focus on driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation in the remote but resource-rich region.

In addition, she requested the expedited release of core grant support for the Arunachal Pradesh State Council for Science & Technology (APSCS&T) to resolve pressing staffing issues and bolster scientific capacity on the ground.

“Our state holds immense untapped biodiversity,” said Pul. “We must act swiftly to conserve it while transforming it into long-term economic opportunities for local communities through science and innovation.”

Dr. Jitendra Singh welcomed the proposals and assured full central support. He praised Arunachal’s proactive approach and emphasized the Modi government’s focus on Northeast development.

“Science and technology must be at the heart of inclusive growth,” Singh said. “Since 2014, the Northeast has shifted from being neglected to becoming a priority region marked by rapid transformation in infrastructure, connectivity, and human capital.”

The meeting marked a significant step in aligning local biodiversity goals with national science and technology priorities, setting the stage for Arunachal to become a model for sustainable, innovation-led growth in the Northeast.