KOLKATA, 1 DEC: The first ever global project to access genetic resources in the state has been launched by the West Bengal Biodiversity Board (WBBB) and Biodiversity Authority of India (NBA), said Dr Balakrishnan Pishupati, chairman of NBA, today. The programme ~ Implementation of National Biodiversity Act with Special Focus on Access and Benefit Sharing ~ is being implemented as a pilot project in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Depending on the project's success, it would be emulated in other states. He said that West Bengal is a pioneer in formulation of People's Biodiversity Registers (PBR) at panchayat-level and the initiative was first taken in Hooghly with the help of school teachers, students and NGO workers. The NBA had chosen three ecosystems ~ wetland, forest and agriculture, he added. Briefing the Press about the programme at a city hotel, Mr Pishupati said that so far much information was not available on the economic value of natural resources. Valuing natural resources would help understand and appreciate the potential of a country's biological diversity. Such a valuation would also help incentivise better conservation efforts and investment in sustainable use as well. The programme is implemented at a cost of about Rs 30 crore over three years. The programme is being funded by Global Environment Facility of the World Bank and a couple of other organisations. “This is the first ever global project on access to genetic resources and benefit sharing. The United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations University would provide the technical support for the programme,” he said. The state biodiversity boards will implement the programme in the five states and they have to provide technical support for the programme. Infrastructure to be improved in Sunderbans to boost tourism KOLKATA/Guwahati, 1 DEC: In a bid to promote tourism in the Sunderbans, the state government is planning to set up cottages in strategic places in the world’s largest mangrove forest to help tourists access the far away points of the delta. The announcement was made by the Sunderban development minister, Mr Shyamal Mondal, following a meeting with the state forest minister, Mr Hiten Burman, and tourism minister Mr Rachpal Singh at Writers’ Buildings today. The state is looking for land at various places like Dhamakhali, Gadkhali, Jharkhali, Ramganga and Jiplot for this purpose. Once cottages are constructed, tourists would be able to access far away places of the delta like Sajnekhali, Sudhyanakhali, Jhingekhali, Burirdaburi, he said. The state government is setting up a tiger rescue centre at Jharkhali and a crocodile project at Pathar Pratima which would be places of tourist attraction. Roads in Sunderbans are being repaired and seven new bridges would be constructed in the delta, he said. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Ambassador to India Mr Wen Chyi Ong has handed over a cheque for $ 6,000 to Aaranyak, a premier conservation organisation of North-east, to help rhino research in Jaldapara Wildlife Sanctuary and Gorumara National Park. “Given the high standard of work that has been done by Aaranyak, the collaboration will definitely continue and it may be in a bigger scale in near future,” Mr Ong said. sns & pti