In 2009, the Centre instituted 4 Semester, full time Masters Programme on Bioresource’s Biotechnology (MBBT) to generate manpower skilled in various aspects of bioresources, such as survey, mapping, mining, documentation, conservation and sustainable utilization. The wed-lock of Bioresources with Biotechnology is aimed at equipping students with the tools and techniques for raising value added products from the bioresources.

That biological and other natural resources play important role in building economic stability and strength of a nation has been known to Indians since long. Such empires and civilizations as have used their biological wealth judiciously have flourished and those that have abused it have declined and perished. Kautilya's Arthshastra exhorts the ruler to have full knowledge of the availability and distribution of important bioresources in the kingdom.

Notwithstanding the importance of bioresources to the economic well being and stability of the nation, no University in India is offering any formal course to prepare trained human resource for handling country's bio-wealth scientifically. Recent developments in IT, availability of requisite software expertise and growing interest among professional biologists and government agencies have converged and prepared a platform to advance the cause of bioresources. ‘Jeeva Sampada’, a digital catalogue of Indian bioresources is being developed by the National Bioresources Development Board. The DBT has recently launched the Indian Bioresources Information Network (IBIN) aimed to be a one-stop shop for all information pertaining to the bioresources of the country.

Financial support from DBT, Govt. of India - The Masters Degree programme in Bioresources’s Biotechnology, which is the only one of its type in the Country, has received great boost with the financial support sanctioned to it by the Department of Biotechnology of Government of India, under its programme of Human Resource Development. In the first phase lasting three years (academic session 2001-12 to 2013-14), a grant of Rs. one Crore one lakh thirty four thousand has been sanctioned for purchases of scientific equipment, consumables, books & journals, studentship, visiting faculty and internal travel.

From the academic session 2011-12, all 12 students who will be admitted to this programme will receive scholarship of Rs. 1200/- per month for both years of the programme and thesis grant of Rs. 50,000/-.

Studenst Enrolment

Faculty profile

Visiting faculty

Professor H. Y. Mohan Ram
FNA, FNASc., INSA Senior Scientist,
New Delhi

Professor A. K. Bhatnagar,
Department of Botany,
University of Delhi, Delhi

Dr. Nikhil Churungoo,
Department of Botany,
North Eastern Hill University, Shillong

Research publications of the faculty members

Susheel Verma

• (2012) Conservation biology of three valuable medicinal plants of North-West Himalayan region. UGC Sponsored State Level Seminar on Medicinal Plants: Current Status and Future Prospects, March 14-15, Islamia College of Science and Commerce, Srinagar, J&K.
• (2011)Polymorphism in pollen mothers cells of Valeriana wallichii DC.(Valerianaceae). Nucleus, 54: 141-145 (With Khajuria, A and Sharma, P).
• (2011)Stylar movement in Valeriana wallichii DC. - a contrivance for reproductive assurance and species survival. Current Science, 100(8): 1143-44 (With Khajuria, A and Sharma, P).
• (2011)Intraspecific variability in vegetative and reproductive features of Picrorhiza kurrooa Royle ex Benth,7th J&K Science Congress, University of Jammu, Oct. 13-15 (with A. Khajuria and P. Sharma).
• (2011) Genetic diversity in Valeriana wallichii DC. (Valerianaceae), a threatened medicinal Himalayan species, as assessed by RAPD, 7th J&K Science Congress, University of Jammu, Oct. 13-15. (with A. Khajuria and P. Sharma).

Asghar Ali Shah

• (2011) Nematodes of the Order Rhabditida from India. Description of Quercorhabditiskeriensis gen. n., sp. n. (Rhabditidae) (with Abid Hussain and Shavish Vaid) (Communicated).
• (2011) Nematodes of the Order Rhabditida from India. Description of male of Sclerorhabditis tridentatus(Rhabditidae) (with Abid Hussain and Shavish Vaid) (Communicated).
• (2011) Observations on the diversity and ecology of Rhabditid nematodes of district Rajouri.7th J&K Science Congress, University of Jammu, Oct. 13-15. (withShavish Vaid).
• (2011) Studies on the diversity of Rhabditid nematodes of District Rajouri. 22nd All India Congress of Zoology. Dec. 29-31. University of Lucknow, Lucknow (with Abid Hussain).
• (2011) Biodiversityof free living nematodes of Jammu andKashmir. 22nd All India Congress of Zoology. Dec. 29-31. University of Lucknow, Lucknow(with S. Vaid and R. Ahmad).

Shreekar Pant

• (2011) Buxus wallichiana L. a multipurpose Himalayan tree is in peril. International Journal of Biodiversity Conservation, 3(5): 175-177.
• (2011) Status and conservation management strategies for threatened plants of Jammu and Kashmir. Journal of Phytology, 3 (7): 50-56. (with Virbala Pant Sharma)
• (2011) Assessment of vegetation for community diversity and regeneration pattern of trees in Mornaula Reserve forest, Kumaon Himalaya, India. 7th J&K Science Congress, University of Jammu, Oct. 13-15. (with Samant, S.S.)

Mamta Bhat

• (2011) Preliminary report on lichens of district Rajouri, 7th J&K Science Congress, University of Jammu, Oct. 13-15. (with D.K.Upreti)
  

Seminars/Conference/Symposia/Workshop attended by the faculty members:

Dr. Susheel Verma

• 7th J&K Science Congress, Oct. 13-15, 2011, University of Jammu
• UGC Sponsored State Level Seminar on Medicinal Plants: Current Status and Future Prospects, March 14-15, 2012, Islamia College, Srinagar, Kashmir.

Dr. Asghar Ali Shah

• 7th J&K Science Congress, Oct. 13-15, 2011, University of Jammu
• 22nd All India Congress of Zoology, Dec. 29-31, 2011, University of Lucknow, Lucknow.

Dr. Shreekar Pant

• 7th J&K Science Congress, Oct. 13-15, 2011, University of Jammu.
• Brain Storming session on Saffron organized by University of Kashmir in collaboration with Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India on October 17, 2011.
• PSC meeting at National Medicinal Plant Board, Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Family and Health, Govt. of India, New Delhi on October 24, 2011.

Ms. Mamta Bhat

• 7th J&K Science Congress, Oct. 13-15, 2011, University of Jammu
  

Research projects initiated during the year:

Dr. Susheel Verma

• Title: Preventing extinction and improving conservation status of threatened plants through application of biotechnological tools
  Funding Agency: Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, New Delhi
  Duration: 5 years
  Total cost: 48 Lakhs

Dr. Asghar Ali Shah

• Title: Studies on ecology and diversity of nematodes of Pir Panjal range in Jammu and Kashmir.
  Funding Agency: MoEF, Govt. of India, New Delhi. Total cost: 32 Lakhs

Dr. Shreekar Pant

• Title: Preventing extinction and improving conservation status of threatened plants through application of biotechnological tools
  Funding Agency: Department of Biotechnology, Govt. of India, New Delhi
  Duration: 5 years
  Total cost: 48 Lakhs

Ms. Mamta Bhat

• Title: Forests for sustainable resources under NEAC 2011 – 12.
  Funding agency: MoEF, Govt. of India, New Delhi.
  Total cost: 0.2 Lakhs.