Borjuli Farming Site in Assam Designated as Biodiversity Heritage Site

The Borjuli farming location in Assam's Sonitpur district has been officially recognized as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority. This designation is a pivotal step in the conservation of India's wild rice genetic resources, enhancing efforts towards climate-resilient agriculture. The project, initiated by the National Rainfed Area Authority, aims to preserve the rich diversity of wild rice. With the collaboration of ICAR-NBPGR and the Assam State Biodiversity Board, this initiative highlights the importance of safeguarding agricultural biodiversity for future generations. The recognition of Borjuli underscores the need for similar conservation efforts across the country.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 3, 2026, 15:11 IST

Recognition of Borjuli Farming Location

Borjuli farming location in Sonitpur district

New Delhi, July 3: The National Biodiversity Authority has officially designated the Borjuli farming area in Assam's Sonitpur district as a Biodiversity Heritage Site. This recognition is a crucial advancement in the preservation of India's wild rice genetic resources, as stated by the Union agriculture ministry on Thursday.

The ministry's announcement highlighted that the Borjuli site, identified through a project by the National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), has now been acknowledged as a Biodiversity Heritage Site.

According to the ministry, this recognition represents a significant stride in safeguarding India's diverse wild rice varieties and enhancing climate-resilient agricultural practices.

The NRAA, part of the Ministry of Agriculture, has reached a notable milestone in conserving India's wild rice genetic resources through its project titled 'In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon) in Sonitpur District of Assam,' which has been active since 2022. This initiative is being executed by the ICAR National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board.

A team of scientists from ICAR-NBPGR recently met with NRAA CEO, Chandra Shekhar Kumar, to discuss the project's accomplishments in exploring, conserving, and characterizing wild rice germplasm.

The team confirmed that the Borjuli site has been officially recognized as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority.

Kumar emphasized that wild rice species are a vital genetic resource for developing climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritionally enhanced rice varieties. He also underscored the importance of implementing similar conservation efforts for other wild relatives of crops throughout the nation.