Uttar Pradesh

• 18 May 2023

'Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation Institute'

Why in News?

On May 17, 2023, at a high-level meeting, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave necessary directions to set up a new institute called Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation Institute in the state to promote research and research in the pharmaceutical sector.

Key Points

• Uttar Pradesh is the sixth largest state in the country in terms of number of pharma manufacturing units. Similarly, the state's contribution to pharma manufacturing in the country is 2 percent, which needs to be increased to 10-12 per cent.
• He said that state-of-the-art research institutes like IITR, CDRI, CIMAP and NBRI are functional in the state, while there are also academic institutes like SGPGI, KGMU. With planned efforts, Lucknow has emerged as a biopharma hub in the last few years.
• AKTU and other technical educational institutions are capable of providing human resources for the pharmaceutical sector. The construction of a pharma park in the state is underway and a medical device park will also be constructed.
• He said that there is a need to focus on all three areas of quality education, research labs and industry to encourage the pharmaceutical industry. In such a situation, the Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation Institute should be set up. The Institute will primarily focus on research and innovation, as well as work as a bridge between other sector-related institutions and industry.
• He directed the officials to prepare a detailed action plan on the nature of the Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation Institute and identify suitable land in the capital Lucknow.

Country's First Night Safari to be Developed in Lucknow

Why in News?

According to information received from the media on May 17, 2023, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) has issued a permit for setting up the country's first night safari and a new zoo on the lines of Singapore in the Kukrail forests of Uttar Pradesh's capital Lucknow.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that in August last year, the cabinet had given green signal to the proposal to make night safari in Kukrail and also to shift the capital's zoo there. Since then the Forest Department has been engaged in obtaining all kinds of NOCs and completing the formalities for their establishment.
• It is noteworthy that the forests of Kukrail are spread over 2027.46 hectares. The country's first night safari will be set up here in 350 acres. Zoological garden will be built on 150 acres. For this, 1000 acres of land has been identified in such a way that there will be no harm to the original nature of the forest area.
• Both the projects will cost around Rs 1500 crore. After getting the permission letter from the CZA, now the Forest Department will take the services of an international level consultant to prepare the Detailed Report (DPR) of the projects.
• Proposals will also be sought from open tender for appointment of consultant. These works will be done in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. That is, the firm which will take the contract for the establishment of night safari and zoo, will have to do all the work on its own on the set standards. Global tenders will be invited for this, because no expert agency is currently present in the country for this work.