Which state cabinet has recently approved the first of its kind “Gene Bank Project”?

Solution

To conserve native and endangered animals, crops, marine and biological species, Maharashtra has decided to set up a gene bank project. The Maharashtra Gene Bank Project’ will work on seven themes -- marine, crop, veterinary, freshwater, grassland biodiversity, protection and management of forest right areas, and regeneration of forests. It will tap into indigenous knowledge resources, work on documenting these species and the knowledge of local communities and preserve these genetic and molecular samples. In the next five years, an amount of ₹172.39 crore will be spent on these seven focus areas.