Cryogenic facility to preserve endangered plant species in Tamil Nadu

TNAU in Coimbatore to establish native species seed vault with cryogenic facilities for conserving rare plant species.

The State government has approved the establishment of a native species seed vault with cryogenic facilities at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore. The project, which will cost ₹10.50 lakh, aims to conserve rare, endangered, and threatened plant species through cryopreservation.

According to a G.O. issued by P. Senthil Kumar, Principal Secretary to Departments of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, the proposal, made by the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, follows growing concerns over the loss of forest genetic diversity due to human activities, climate change, and other environmental pressures. The new facility will store seeds, dormant buds, plant tissues, and other propagules from native species, ensuring their long-term preservation for future use.

The seed vault will focus on conserving approximately 140 species of rare, endangered, and threatened plants listed in the IUCN Red List, as well as endangered native grasses and orchids. In total, 50 grass species and 25 orchid species will be prioritised for conservation. The cryogenic unit will provide long-term storage for these plant materials to safeguard them from extinction.

Additionally, the facility will support research on the viability of seeds and plant rejuvenation techniques. The government has proposed a ten-year comprehensive plan, with an outlay of ₹10.5 lakh for the first year and ₹50,000 for the subsequent nine years, for conservation of the plants by utilising the existing seed vault with cryogenic facility at TNAU.