Pune: “The estimated species of fungi in India is 96,000, but only 14,000  species have been identified,” said Prof DL Hawksworth during a session on ‘The critical role of fungi in planetary and human health’ at MACS-Agharkar Research Institute. The talk was held on the occasion of the 58th Prof SP Agharkar Memorial Oration. Hawksworth elaborated on the importance of fungi in food materials, degradation of plastic, world economy and health, medicines and pharmaceuticals, mycomedicinals.
Pointing out the trade aspect of fungi, Hawksworth said that the caterpillar fungus from Tibet earns big revenue by selling in the US.

“The biodeteriogenic quality of fungi causes a post-harvest loss of 25-50 per cent in cereal production, but fungal sprays were useful in biologically controlling the locust,” said Hawksworth. He also highlighted the prominence of Asian countries in becoming main centres of fungal research.

Prof Kamal Bawa spoke on the rich Indian biodiversity in his talk on ‘India’s biodiversity: Challenges and opportunities’ on the occasion of the Dr GB Deodikar Memorial Oration.

Bawa said, “There are over 7,000 species of orchids in Sikkim, which is more than in the Western Ghats.”

“The increasing number of hydropower projects in the Himalayan region will be playing a role in the alteration of biodiversity. A similar number of hydropower projects in China in the next 22 years too will affect the biodiversity of the region,” he added.
 
Bawa cited the project on climate smart villages in the Himalayan region which focused on improved cooking stoves and eco-friendly measures. “Academic institutes, think tanks and NGOs together could play an effective role in addressing the effects of climate change in the Himalayan region,” said Bawa.

Kishore Paknikar, Director, ARI, DR Bapat, President of Maharashtra Association for the Cultivation of Science were present.