The Union Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change inaugurated the Advanced Facility for Pashmina Certification and Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) Facility at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.
About the Next-Generation DNA Sequencing (NGS) Facility
- NGS enables rapid decoding of entire genomes and analyses millions of DNA sequences simultaneously.
- Provides insights into genetic diversity, evolutionary relationships, and population health.
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Wildlife Institute of India (WII),Dehradun
- The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is a premier institution dedicated to wildlife research, education, and conservation in India.
- Established in 1982, WII is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.
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- Applications in Wildlife Conservation:
- Identifies population genetic health and genetic diversity.
- Studies genetic barriers and their impacts.
- Helps in understanding disease outbreaks and detecting illegal wildlife trade.
- Evaluates effects of climate change on biodiversity.
Impact on Research:-
- Establishes WII as a leading molecular and genetic research centre.
- Facilitates studies in biodiversity genomics, population genetics, and disease surveillance.
- NGS facility supports research on:
- Genetic adaptation to climate change.
- Pathogen-host interactions.
- Conservation strategies for endangered species, including tigers, elephants, and riverine dolphins.
Pro and Con of NGS facility
Pros:
- High throughput: NGS can sequence a massive amount of DNA in a short time, allowing for the analysis of many genes simultaneously.
- Cost-effective (in the long run): While initial investment is high, the cost per sample decreases significantly when processing large batches.
- Improved patient care: Enables more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and improved disease management.
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Cons:
- High initial investment: Requires substantial infrastructure (computers, storage, specialized equipment).
- Data analysis challenges: Demands highly skilled personnel to analyze and interpret the vast amount of data generated.
- Potential for data overload: Managing and extracting clinically relevant information from the massive datasets can be complex.
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About Pashmina Certification Centre (PCC)
- Established under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model between WII and the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).
- EPCH is an apex body of handicrafts exporters for promotion of exports of handicrafts and allied products and project India’s image as a reliable supplier of high quality handcrafted goods and merchandise.
- It was established in 1986-87 under the Companies Act.
- Objective: To promote, support, and increase the export of handicrafts from India.
- Key Activities:
- Organizing the Indian Handicrafts & Gifts Fair (IHGF) which is a major international trade fair.
- Promoting Indian handicrafts in international markets.
- Supporting skill development and capacity building of artisans.
- Providing information and assistance to exporters.
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- Certified over 15,000 Pashmina shawls in a year, ensuring authenticity and absence of mixed fibers.
- New features include a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for precise wool testing and certification.
- Significance of PCC
- Economic Impact: Promotes self-reliance in traditional handicrafts.
- Supports livelihoods of artisans and weavers, especially in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Global Market Credibility: Enhances credibility of certified Pashmina products in national and international markets.
- Ensures fair trade practices and discourages prohibited fibers like Shahtoosh as the shawl made up of pashmina wool was promoted as an alternative to Shahtoosh shawl.
- Conservation Contributions: Discourages illegal trade in Shahtoosh wool, aiding in the conservation of Tibetan antelope (Chiru).
- As per the IUCN, the species is currently categorized as Near Threatened
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About Pashmina
- Pashmina is renowned for its exceptional softness, warmth, and luxurious feel.
- The word pashmina is originated from a word ‘pashm’ means ‘soft gold’ in local language, and ‘wool’ in Persian language
- Originates from the undercoat of the Changthangi goat, a breed found in the high altitudes of the Himalayas in regions like Ladakh, India.
- GI Tag Certificate: Kashmir Pashmina has received Geographical Indication (GI) certification, recognizing its unique origin and quality.
- Animal Used: Changthangi goat (Capra aegagrus hircus), also known as the Pashmina goat.
- Pashmina goats shed their 80–170g winter undercoat naturally each spring, collected through combing during the moulting season.
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December 23, 2024
