Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon)
Prelims:
Environment &
Ecology, Agriculture
Mains:
GS Paper II-Governance,
GS Paper III- Agriculture, Environment
Current relevance:
The Borjuli site in Sonitpur district,
Assam, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) under
the NRAA-funded Wild Rice Conservation Project.
Highlights:
Background:
1.
The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) has funded
the project "In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice in
Sonitpur District of Assam."The project has been implemented since
2022 by ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in
collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board.
2.
The Borjuli site has been notified as a
Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS) by the National Biodiversity
Authority (NBA).
About Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon):
1.
Oryza rufipogon is the wild ancestor of cultivated
Asian rice.
2.
Native to South and Southeast Asia, including
India.
3. Grows naturally in wetlands, marshes, swamps, floodplains, ponds, and seasonally flooded areas.
Significance:
1.
Provides valuable genes for climate resilience, disease
and pest resistance, and stress tolerance.
2.
Contributes to the development of high-yielding and
nutritionally superior rice varieties.
3.
Promotes sustainable food production and nutritional
security.
Source: PIB- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2280202®=48&lang=1