Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged the Centre to set up a Centre of Excellence on Maritime Biotechnology in Bhubaneswar in Odisha. In his letter to the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Earth Sciences and Science and Technology, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Mr. Pradhan said that in order to strike a balance between Odisha’s delicate maritime ecosystems and the growth of its blue economy, there is a need for enhanced focus on scientific research, which can be ensured by the setting up of the Centre of Excellence on Maritime Biotechnology at the Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar.
Making a reference to the Prime Minister’s vision for a maritime-led blue economy, Mr Pradhan said that there are a number of sites in Odisha that are hallmarks of eco-tourism. In addition, a number of marine related projects including the development of fishing harbours at Paradeep and Baleshwar are set to unlock the marine-led economic growth in Odisha and Eastern India.
However, highlighting Prime Minister’s emphasis on the balance between industrial economic growth and ecological conservation, Mr. Pradhan said, it is essential to invest in the preservation of delicate marine ecosystems of the state while developing novel approaches using marine biotechnology.
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