The Aravallis region is known for its rich biodiversity and unique native plant species. However, these species are facing a threat due to various factors such as urbanization, pollution and climate change. In order to conserve and protect these unique plant species, a ‘seed bank’ is being gradually developed at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Initiation of the Project
This seed bank project was initiated in 2015 and is jointly implemented by the Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The efforts include collecting seeds from across Delhi and other states. Over the years, the nursery at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary has grown more than 100 species of native grasses, plants, and trees.
Objectives of the Seed Bank
The key aim of the seed bank is not only to supply native saplings for urban areas but also to reintroduce species that have become rare or difficult to locate. In addition to that, the project aims to increase awareness about the disappearing trees in Delhi. Furthermore, the seed bank plans to scale up the production to around 10 lakh saplings every year.
Understanding the Concept of Seed Banks
Seed banks are essentially crucial reservoirs of plant genetic resources. They securely store seeds of different plant varieties to conserve their genetic diversity and to ensure their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Beyond conservation, seed banks also act as important resources for research, agriculture, and overall preservation efforts.
India’s Contribution towards Seed Conservation
India has established its own seed storage facility at Chang La in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir. This facility, which was built in 2010 by the Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR) and the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), is under the administration of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This seed bank holds over 5,000 seed accessions, with each accession consisting of a set of seeds from a particular species collected from different geographical and demographic locations.
World’s Largest Seed Vault
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, also known as the Doomsday Vault, located in Norway is the world’s largest seed storage facility. The vault provides a safety net against accidental loss of biodiversity in traditional genebanks.
Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary
Covering an area of 32.71 square kilometers, Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Southern Delhi as well as northern parts of Faridabad and Gurugram districts. This sanctuary is situated on the Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli hill range on the Delhi-Haryana border and is part of the Sariska-Delhi Wildlife Corridor that runs from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to Delhi Ridge.
Replacing Seeds for Enhanced Food and Nutritional Security
Enhancing the ‘Seed Replacement Rates’ of various crops is being proposed as a solution for achieving future food production targets. However, there are constraints to its widespread implementation. For instance, a demand-supply gap exists regarding quality seeds for low value and high volume crops. Despite these challenges, India’s Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has achieved a 33% Seed Replacement Rate for self-pollinated crops, highlighting the potential for improving seed replacement as a means of enhancing food and nutritional security.
