(a) whether the Government have sanctioned a project to establish a model bio-village of the Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Centre, Bhavnagar;
(b) if so, the detailed performance of this project;
(c) whether the performance of this project has been found satisfactory;
(d) whether the Government propose to set up more such villages in the country;
(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(f) the total allocation made for this project during the current year?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ( SHRI BACHI SINGH RAWAT )
(a) : Yes Sir; the Department of Biotechnology has sanctioned a project on establishing a model
Bio-village at village Mocha, near Porbandar, Gujarat. The Central Salt and Marine Chemical
Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar is the lead implementing agency.
(b) & (c) : the progress and performance of the project has been satisfactory as per the objectives
envisaged; training programmes have been organised to benefit the villagers through
biotechnological interventions. Reverse Osmosis plant has been commissioned to provide potable and
non-brackish water to the villagers. Nursery of economically important plantlets has been
established for large-scale plantation in the waste land of the Panchayat.
(d) & (e) : Biovillage projects are being developed in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal.
Department of Biotechnology is providing technical advice to the states on these.
(f) : An outlay of Rs. 8.08 lakh is available for the project in the current year.