Forest genetic resources not only represent  regional biodiversity but also have immense value as the wealth for securing livelihood of poor people. These resources are vulnerable to ecological changes due to depletion/deforestation and/or impact of climate change. Poor regeneration of indigenous species of various plant categories on the floor of natural forests is leading to threat on growth and development of future forests of the country. More than 170 species, including NTFPs, are in critical condition for their survival in natural forests. Forest degradation, commensurate with biodiversity loss, is now pervasive, disproportionately affecting the rural poor who directly depend on forests for their subsistence. Looking ahead to the interaction between forest and water, soil, precipitation, climate change, etc. and its impact on biodiversity of tropical forests, it is inevitable to develop co-operation policies and programmes to address new emerging realities.         

The world’s largest rice growers are in Asia with China at the top in terms of production and India in terms of area  covered under  paddy  cultivation. India is next to China in rice production. Out of 44.6 million hectares of total rice area in India, upland rice occupies 7.1 million hectares out  of  which  6.2  million