New Biotech Park development planned in Hi-machal Pradesh, India

A new Biotech Park development in Aduwal of the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh region in Himachal Pradesh, India is being planned by the Government of Himachal Pradesh's Department of Environment, Science Technology.

Global management, engineering and development consultancy Mott MacDonald has been appointed to provide advice on the project.

Mott MacDonald's role will entail preparing a conceptual plan and a feasibility study for the park. The development is to be built on a 35 acre site and financed through a public-private-partnership agreement. It is envisaged that the park will be world class with high-specification research and development facilities to support India's growing biotechnology industry.

The Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, a strong proponent of knowledge-based industry said: "We will provide all possible support for the growth of the biotechnology sector in the state and I welcome suggestions from industry leaders so as to make Himachal a Global Biotechnology Hub."

To support this environmentally friendly fast growing industry, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda said "The state is keen to support and develop the biotechnology industry which is technology driven, adopts clean technology and has the potential to provide employment to the educated youths of the State"

The conceptual plan and feasibility study are due for completion by March 2009.

The State of Himachal Pradesh has many rare plants, particularly in the upper reaches of the Himalayas, which have immense potential for use in the Pharmaceutical industry. The Himachal Government is keen that international biotech firms take advantage of the rare microbial diversity of the Himalayas and use the Biotech Park for further genetic research.