Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 3: Taking appraisal of the progress made on identified issues relating to utilization of modern sciences to help economic transformation and job creation in the State at a meeting of Scientific Advisory Committee, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today laid stress on popular application of science to spin off economic change in a positive direction.
“A well thought mechanism is required to ensure creation of scientific temperament in the students and imparting quality science education in schools and colleges is required to be launched to make necessary dent in this direction and harness the rich bio-diversity of the State for economic growth and welfare of the people”, he said and asked the Scientific Advisory Committee to Chief Minister (SAC-CM) to come up with a concrete proposal in this regard.
Taking brief on the creation of industrial bio-tech parks at Srinagar and Jammu with enabling infrastructure and incubator for medicinal plants, aroma products, nutraceuticals, therapeutic proteins, anti-bodies, hormones, growth factors, antibiotics and bio-generics, the Chief Minister said that harnessing this potential of the State is need of the hour and the State Government would take all necessary initiatives to make science the agent of economic change and prosperity.
Omar Abdullah said that there is less scope for large industries in the Valley as such, “we have to focus on production of low volume-high value products as would accrue benefits to the State and the people holistically and give fillip to economy”. He underlined science intervention imperative in this regard.
The Chief Minister asked the SAC-CM to work out a module of involving all stakeholders including universities, colleges and schools besides Science and Technology Department in imparting scientific knowledge to the students from the base level. “This would create a talent pool of scientists within the State to work on different initiatives and research projects for utilizing science for the betterment of the society and economic welfare in a comprehensive manner”, he maintained.
The Chief Minister said that application of bio-sciences in the agriculture sector would help to evolve befitting solution to the farming problems in kandi and rain-fed areas. He said farmers in these areas could be provided alternate crops to cultivate and strengthen their economy.
In a PowerPoint presentation the Director, Indian Institute of Integrated Medicines (IIIM), Dr. Ram Vishwakarma said that bio-pharma sector is the fast growing segments in India and possesses rich potential of development in Jammu and Kashmir. He said aroma products from Jammu and Kashmir can have global market share.
Dr. Vishwakarma said that a project for captive cultivation of selected medicinal and aroma plants have been submitted to the Union Ministry of Health for approval. He said 21 places – Srinagar, Pahalgam, Anantnag, Tangmarg, Wadwan, Drass, Gurez, Dacchan-Madwa, Bani, Katra, Banihal, Bhalesa, Doda, Bhaderwah, Kulwanta, Akhnoor, Dansal, Batote, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Kathua have been identified for the cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants like Mint, Lavender, Clarysage, Tagetus, Rosemary, Rose, Cymbopogon, Monarda and Sassurea (Kuth).
The meeting was addressed by Minister of State for Science and Technology, Feroz Ahmad Khan while Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Commissioner Secretary Science and Technology, Bipul Pathak, Chairman SAC-CM, Prof. V. L. Chopra and Members of the SAC-CM were present in the meeting.
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