The forest, environment and climate change department of Odisha has sanctioned Rs 23 lakh to the Centre for Research and Conservation of Indian Horseshoe Crabs at Fakir Mohan University in Balasore. The funds are allocated for research on conservation of horseshoe crabs and to raise awareness among locals about protecting these living fossils, which are older than dinosaurs.
Action Plan Submission
Last month, the office of the principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF) (wildlife) and chief wildlife warden under the department asked the university to submit the first-year action plan along with budget provisions for fund release. After receiving the action plan, the PCCF office sanctioned the funds three days ago for the project titled 'In situ conservation of Indian Horseshoe Crabs by understanding habitats, genetics and adaptive processes with community participation'.
Research Team
Bharat Bhusan Patnaik, associate professor and head of the bioscience and biotechnology department at FM University, will be the principal investigator. The divisional forest officer (DFO) of Balasore will serve as co-principal investigator.
Patnaik explained the project scope: 'Under this project, we will conduct population study of the horseshoe crab. We will also go to the field and find out why their population is depleting. We will next conduct their genetic study. We will explore why they are surviving and how they are surviving for so long.'
Capacity Building and Awareness
Bisnu Prasad Dash, an expert on horseshoe crab conservation and mentor of this project, said they will conduct capacity-building training for forest department staff and the fishermen community for conservation of these horseshoe crabs, in addition to research work.
'Fakir Mohan University will celebrate International Horseshoe Crab Day on June 20, where researchers, forest department people, students and experts will deliberate on this species,' he added.
Additional Conservation Project
The university is also conducting another major project for ex-situ conservation of horseshoe crabs and assessment of other marine animals for bioresource exploration. This project falls under the Odisha Marine Biotechnology Research and Innovation Corridor programme of the Odisha government. Around Rs 2 crore has been sanctioned for ex-situ conservation (conserving species outside their natural habitat) and development of technology to commercialise the production of this blue-blood animal.
Sources said the initiative aims to strengthen conservation efforts through scientific research and community participation.
