Ladakh to be Developed on the line of Science and Technology

Ladakh to be Developed on the line of Science and Technology

Question: Which of the following organisation has signed a MoU with Ladakh (UT) to speed up Science & Technology oriented development in that region?
a) CSIR
b) IISc
c) DRDO
d) IIT Delhi
Answer: (a)
Related Facts:-

  • On 29 January, 2021 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has signed a MoU with Ladakh (UT) to speed up Science & Technology oriented development.
  • It should be known that Ladakh is a recently formed Union territory, which came into being after the abrogation of article 370 of the Indian Constitution on august 05, 2019.
  • CSIR has signed an agreement with the Ladakh Administration to accelerate the development by science and technology interventions through local bio-resource utilisation, introduction of cash crops in the region and exploration of natural resources.
  • The focus of the collaboration would be on commercialization of endemic and other high-value medicinal, aromatic and nutraceutical plants.
  • It will also include specific crops, bio-prospection of endemic microbial and plants diversity.
  • Other areas of interest include geophysical mapping, eco-friendly leather processing as well as micro-biological and bio-technological research.
  • Under this new agreement different CSIR institutes would initiate research and development, extension and societal projects based on their core competencies.
  • In the first phase, extensive knowledge and technological support would be provided through the following six CSIR establishments-


I. Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM),
II. Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology,
III. National Botanical Research Institute,
IV. National Geophysical Research Institute,
V. Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute
VI. Central Leather Research Institute

  • The Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine would be the nodal institution.
  • Most importantly the CSIR has already made significant contributions to the region by setting up the Centre of Excellence for High Altitude Natural Sciences.
  • CSIR also has played its valuable role in the establishment of experimental and demonstration farms of different medicinal, aromatic and nutraceutical plants and crops of Ladakh.

By – Rajesh Tripathi

Links:-
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1693148
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/csir-to-help-speed-up-ladakh-development-205372