The Borjuli wetland in Assam, known for harbouring a disease and pest-resistant variety of wild rice, has been notified as a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS), marking a major milestone in the conservation of India’s wild rice genetic resources.
The wild rice species, Oryza rufipogon, is the progenitor of present-day cultivated rice, Oryza sativa. It is resistant to pests and diseases and can tolerate flooding and saline conditions, making it a valuable genetic resource for developing climate-resilient crop varieties.
The recognition follows the implementation of the project, “In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon) in Sonitpur District of Assam,” which has been underway since 2022.
Funded by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the project is being executed by the ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi, in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, the recognition of the Borjuli wetland as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority will strengthen the conservation of India’s wild rice diversity while supporting the development of climate-resilient agriculture.
NRAA Chief Executive Officer Chandra Shekhar Kumar said wild rice species are an invaluable source of genes for developing climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutritionally superior rice varieties. He stressed the need to replicate similar conservation initiatives for other crop wild relatives across the country to improve the resilience and sustainability of Indian agriculture and strengthen long-term food security.
