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India Advances GM Crops: Bananas, Peas, and Rubber Trials Underway
7 Mar
Summary
- India is testing GM bananas, pigeon peas, and rubber crops.
- Only Bt cotton is currently approved for commercial GM cultivation.
- Biodiversity conservation and integrated planning are key national priorities.
India is currently conducting confined field trials for a range of genetically modified (GM) crops, including vitamin A and iron-fortified bananas, insect-resistant pigeon peas, and stress-tolerant rubber. This development was detailed in India's seventh national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Currently, only Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton is approved for commercial cultivation in India, covering over 11 million hectares. The commercial use of GM yeast for ethanol production has also received permission under specific conditions.
The nation is actively working towards biodiversity conservation and security, aligning with global biodiversity targets. Initiatives include spatiotemporal assessments of various ecosystems and the implementation of a single-window environmental clearance system, Parivesh 2.0, to monitor biodiversity-rich areas.
India employs a dual approach to biodiversity conservation, encompassing both 'State-driven Conservation' through protected areas and 'Community-driven Conservation' involving local institutions and community efforts. Efforts are also underway to expand protected areas and establish Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) to meet the 30x30 global goal by 2030.
Regarding ecosystem restoration, India's DLD Atlas indicates that water erosion is the primary cause of desertification and land degradation, followed by vegetation and wind erosion. The country is committed to addressing these challenges through various conservation strategies.
