Pragati BiotechnologiesPragati Biotechnologies was set up in December 2000 by Mr. Piare Lal and his son Balmukund. Mr. Piare Lal, Ex IFS, retired as Vice President - Plantations, ITC Bhadrachalam Paperboards Limited (now ITC Limited). He has over 40 years of experience as a distinguished professional forester with proven track record and pioneering contributions in the development of genetically improved high yielding clones and promotion of large scale Clonal Eucalyptus.
Forests are under intense biotic pressures and major factors contributing to degradation are illicit removal of firewood in head loads, theft of valuable timber, excessive and uncontrolled grazing, fires, and in certain areas shifting cultivation. Lack of adequate investments in forestry sector, inadequate policy reforms and poor R&D and technological inputs are other contributing factors. Most of the community/ village forests have disappeared and pressures are mounting on remaining 38 million ha of forests with crown cover density more than 40%.
Forests are under intense biotic pressures and major factors contributing to degradation are illicit removal of firewood in head loads, theft of valuable timber, excessive and uncontrolled grazing, fires, and in certain areas shifting cultivation. Lack of adequate investments in forestry sector, inadequate policy reforms and poor R&D and technological inputs are other contributing factors. Most of the community/ village forests have disappeared and pressures are mounting on remaining 38 million ha of forests with crown cover density more than 40%. Depletion of tree cover results in excessive soil erosion, contributing to degradation of land, flash floods, silting of riverbeds/reservoirs, loss of bio-diversity and inadequate recharging of underground aquifers. Total extent of degraded forests and wasteland needing urgent reclamation/ reforestation measures is 130 million ha in India, i.e. 40% of the geographical area. Restoration of green cover and substantial improvements in land productivity are most essential for:
Highly productive clonal plantations will help diversification of agriculture and contribute to the greening of the country, conservation of country's biodiversity rich natural forests and large scale employment opportunities through development of wood based industries.
Pragati Biotechnologies has state of the art facilities for developing these high yielding clones. Our Clonal Technology Research and Production Centre is located on 16 acres of real estate, and our 2835 Sq. Meters Green Houses, Shade Houses and Modern Root Trainer Nurseries are located at
Pragati's gene banks or clonal multiplication gardens have more than 150 outstanding clones of Eucalyptus under production and research. These clones include clones developed through controlled pollination between proven best clones of Eucalyptus teretecornis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis and cloning of outstanding inter specific and intra specific hybrids with good heterosis.
Pragati's first Clonal Eucalyptus Testing and Demonstration Plot was established in August 2002 with 36 clones and 2 control treatments of normal seedlings and half sib seedlings of clone 7 at Village Semi.
Clonal Eucalyptus Testing & Demonstration Plot 1 (planted August 2002) Age 3 year
Clonal Eucalyptus Testing & Demonstration
Pragati Biotechnologies currently supplies 7.5 million clonal eucalyptus saplings and 0.5 million clonal Poplar ETPs to farmers in five states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand & Uttar Pradesh, improving the farmer's per acre income manifolds & contributing in a small way to greening of India, environmental amelioration, maintenance of ecological balance, effective conservation of soil and water resources and preventing further land degradation.