‘Kidu Coconut Gene Bank will not be closed’

Kasargod CPCRI Director Dr P Chowdappa said that the Coconut Gene Bank at Kidu will not be closed at any cost.

To a query from reporters, he said that the ICAR-CPCRI Research Centre and International Coconut Gene Bank was started by obtaining a 300-acre land from the Forest Department for a period of 30 years lease in 1970.

"It is true that the lease period of the said land expired in 2000. The Central High Power Committee had directed the Ministry of Environment and Forest to reclaim all the forest land being used for other purposes. Accordingly, the ministry had written to the Karnataka government to reclaim the said land. However, all efforts are being made to save this gene bank, which is one of its kind in the world.”

“We are corresponding with the ICAR on the issue. I will be meeting authorities in Delhi on July 30 and will appraise on the importance of coconut gene bank.”

“The high committee has reportedly asked the authorities to pay Rs 19 crore to extend the lease period. We will appeal to the authorities to waive off the said amount as the entire 300-acre land is covered with greenery,” he said.

"Out of the five coconut gene banks, only the gene bank at Kidu has survived and is functioning well. The coconut gene banks in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Ivory Costa and Brazil are under threat. The Kidu gene bank has 453 coconut gene plasma, of which, 95 are exotic varieties from different parts of the world. “It is a treasure for the country that needs to be protected for the future generation,” he said.

Chowdappa said that the coconut gene bank is a part of the Coconut Genetic Resources group with 56 countries, which India is also part of.