Assam situated in one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world can boast of its pride. Indiscriminate and uncontrolled use and destruction of natural resources has resulted in placing many bio-resources in the mouth of extinction. To check this dangerous trend of destruction, scientific awareness should be generated amongst the common people, so that the rapid decline of some high priced as well as medicinal plant species gets checked. On this very issue, the Assam Bio-Resource Centre has been set up at Location: Madan Kamdev, P.O. Baihata Chariali, Dist. Kamrup, Assam. . This project is supported by deptt. of Environment and Forest, Govt. of Assam since 1993-94.
The prime objectives of the Assam Bio-Resource Centre are:
(i) to conserve some selected species of plants and animals native to the NE Region having economical and ecological importance in ex-situ and in-situ condition by establishing different Germplam banks, gardens, conservatories, etc.,
(ii) to conduct researches on the most appropriate and economical method of conservation of flora and fauna,
(iii) to provide facilities for Post graduate students, Scholars and Research Fellows to undertake studies related to Flora and Fauna
(iv) to disseminate information on the Bioresources of Assam and the northeast India.
Land: 55 Bigha of land near the historic Madan Kamdev Temple, Baihata Chariali was received from the Directorate of Archaeology, Govt. of Assam in the year 1995.
Botanical Garden: 20 Bigha of land of the Centre is divided into 6 small blocks. Different plant species of economical and ecolgical importance have been introduced to each of the blocks and are being maintained properly. Some epiphytic orchids are also being maintained in natural condition at the Centre.
Herbarium & Museum: No. of Herbarium Cabinets: 12 Nos. No. of Herbarium sheets with plant specimens: 4000 Nos. No. of Museum specimens: 300 Nos
Conservatories: Orchidarium: 2 Nos, Fern House: 1 No., Lath House: 1 No., Mist Chamber: 1 No., Cactus House: 2 Nos., Mist Chamber: 1 No.
Plant species growing in the Centre: Medicinal Plants 150 species, Bamboo 20 species, Cactus 15 species, Orchids 95 species, Canes 4 species, Other trees & shrubs 320 species.
(i) The Centre has attracted the interests of all the scientific organisations, universities, colleges, schools, etc. Students and teachers from different parts of the State pay visits regularly for their academic purposes,
(ii) The people of the area are getting aware of the environment and conservation of the Biodiversity.
(i) Department of Environment & Forests, Govt. of Assam,
(ii) Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of Assam,
(iii) Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable Development, Manipur,
(iv) Directorate of Archaeology, Govt. of Assam,
(v) Regional Plant Resource Centre, Bhubaneswar,
(vi) National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow,
(vii) Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata,
(viii) Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun.