The world’s first Genetic Garden of
Halophytes (naturally occurring salt-tolerant plants) was inaugurated at the
coastal town of Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu. The first of its kind garden in the
world was inaugurated by Mauritius President Ameenah Gurib Fakim through
video-conferencing.
Key Facts
The garden has been set up by M S Swaminathan Research
Foundation (MSSRF) founded by eminent agriculture scientist Prof M S
Swaminathan, father of Indian Green Revolution. It will have over 1,600
species belonging to 550 genera and 117 families of Halophytes plants.
Initially it will comprise halophytes occurring along the
coasts of India including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
What are Halophytes?
Halophytes are salt-tolerant or
salt-resistant plants. They can thrive and complete their life cycles in soils
or waters containing high salt concentrations. They constitute two per cent of
terrestrial plant species.
Significance
Halophytes plants are important in the context of
increasing salinisation of land especially due sea level rise because of
climate change and global warming. In recent times, alarming rise in the
sea level has prompted agriculture scientists to call for the cultivation of
saline-tolerant crops in light danger of sea intrusion. In future, anticipatory
research of these plants could reap rich rewards to mitigate impact of climate
change as they can provide food for people, fodder for livestock, bio fuel and
also can be used for ornamental purposes.
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