Posted On: Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Launching the website on Indian Soil MIcorbiome Project and Webinar on 27.06.2021

World Microbiome Day Celebration and Launching of website “Indian Soil Microbiome Project” by ICAR-NBAIM

As a part of the “Bharat Ka Amrut Mahotsav” to commemorate 75 Years of India’s Independence, and to celebrate World Microbiome Day, ICAR-NBAIM organized a webinar on  Microbiome for food and environmental security on 27^th June 2021. Dr. A.N. Mukhopadhyaya, former vice chancellor, AAU graced the occasion as chief guest. Dr. A. K. Saxena, Director, ICAR-NBAIM delivered a talk on microbial diversity mapping and need to develop in situ conservation strategies. Dr. Saxena highlighted and reviewed the attempts made by earlier workers to decipher the microbial diversity in India. He also highlighted the initiatives by various countries on mapping the microbial diversity. Looking to the importance of the role played by microorganisms in keeping the planet healthy, the Bureau has initiated mapping of  the microbial diversity of India in an organized and phasewise manner as Indian Soil Microbiome Project. Dr. Saxena apprised about the work done so far and stressed on the need to have baseline information which will be useful for different stakeholders including the policymakers. On the occasion, website of Indian Soil Microbiome project (www.indiamicrobiome.org.in) was launched by the chief guest. The Chief Guest appreciated the initiative taken by the Bureau and opined that the information on microbial diversity generated through this project will help to prioritize decisions concerning conservation and utilization of the microbial wealth of the country. Dr A. K. Sharma, ex Director, ICAR-NBAIM stated that the Indian Microbiome Initiative is in line with the Vision 2050 of ICAR- NBAIM. Dr S.C. Dubey, ADG (PP & B) highlighted the importance of soil, plant, animal and human microbiome and mentioned that there is a linkage between different microbiomes. The webinar was attended by 130 participants.