Biodiversity Redefined by Pragati Bio-diversity Knowledge Park, Hyderabad

India presents rich biodiversity. The significance of India’s biodiversity is that, it has become an integral part of our culture and traditions since times immemorial. In the present, the whole world looks towards India’s rich medical heritage as it emerges as the world’s greatest healing system. So, the significance of our biodiversity, ayurveda, yoga and meditation find renewed emphasis and interest. Since 1994, Pragati Group based in Hyderabad consumed by passion to ensure happy and healthy life for all has been working towards creating the “Vyadi Rahita Samajam” by harnessing the health giving and healing power of Vanamulikas (herbal & medicinal plants) and Gomatha (cows).

Dr. G.B.K. Rao, the Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of Pragati Bio-Diversity Knowledge Park strongly believes that the only answer to the two potential threats – ‘Hunger’ and ‘Pollution’ is “Vruksho Rakshati Rakshitaha & Gow Samrakshana”. He started his journey to create what is today Pragati Bio-Diversity Knowledge Park, Hyderabad a globally renowned man made biodiversity park. His passion and love for nature & its ecological balance has only grown since then. Pragati Bio-diversity Knowledge Park promoted by Pragati Green Meadows and Resorts Ltd under the leadership of Dr G.B.K. Rao promotes and realizes self sustainable Green Living spaces.

Pragati Group’s trailblazing legacy of two decades can be retraced to its profound reverence for safeguarding the purity of the Pancha bhootas, the five elements of Indian ethos- air, water, fire, earth and sky. And their deep rooted belief for upholding the principles of ‘Vruksho Rakshati Rakshitaha’ and ‘Gow Samrakshana,’ viz., the significance of the cattle and the ecology as depicted in all the images of Lord Sri Krishna, which is the basis of leading a holistic life, full of contentment and prosperity.

The Group has been recognised by United Nations and the global community for successfully maintaining the balance of nature to sustain the ecology at its Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park near Hyderabad. The Park spread over 2500 acres, a substantial part of which was barren being a limestone (Sudda) quarry has been transformed into a lush green, biodiverse, self sustainable living space based on the practices of Indian scientific traditions and sacred methodologies. The herbal and medicinal plants, which are our age-old Prana Pradatas and Arogya Pradatas have been arranged at various pockets here. These healing herbs remove toxins and refresh an individual through aroma therapy. They have thereby enabled to make the area completely free from mosquitoes, bad bacteria and virus.

Another remarkable feat achieved at Pragati is the ongoing collection of rare species of cattle including heritage cows and bulls of Punganoor, Ongole, Giri, Sahival, Tharparkar and Kapil besides rare breeds of Mountain sheep at its Gowshala. Not to talk of the 65 varieties of birds that found a secured habitat here as per the WWF survey. The place is cohabited by 15 to 20 rare animal species too. This has been possible by resorting to ancient natural farming methodologies.

A wide variety of compost fertilisers including bio-fertilisers-Vermicompost, Cowdung, Green Leaf Mold, Bio pests, Neem, Tulasi, Ganuaga, Gow Mutra and cow based products are generated and used productively here. Pragati Sanjeevani Nursery boasts of many heritage medicinal plants and aromatic plants besides 100 varieties of vegetables and fruits. More than a billion seeds per day are produced from Mother Plants here. All in all Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park Hyderabad has created one of its kind genome banks in the world for a wide variety of flora and fauna.

Pragati has taken a gigantic task of identifying rare sacred herbal and medicinal plants. The valuable heritage plants treasure is planted in groups of specific importance. These Pavitra Vrikshalu (sacred vanams) such as Navagraha Vanam, Nakshatra Vanam, Rasi Vanam, Panchbhoota Vanam, Parijata Vanam, Kadamba Vanam, Sugandha Vanam, Ganapathi 21 Patrika Vanam etc are planted here to get the desired impact as enshrined in our Vedas.

Pragati has obtained two patents for sweet diabetic honey and another for MR-777, which reduces the Creatine Phospho-Kinase (CPK) level in children suffering from muscular dystrophy. Pragati is in the process of obtaining patents for many more formulations. Pragati Bio Pharma has discovered a unique herb with medicinal properties for prevention of Breast Cancer and named it as Urginea Raogibikei. It is in the process of getting recognition from Small Business Innovation Research Intiative (SBIRI) for its anti-cancer therapeutic qualities.

The crowning glory of the group has been United Nation’s recommendation to replicate Pragati’s rich experience as declared by the present and former Executive Secretaries at UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias (UN Executive Secretary, Convention of Bio-diversity) and Ahmed Djoghlaf (Former UN Executive Secretary, Convention of Bio-diversity) at the 11th Conference on biodiversity held in Hyderabad during 2012 urging the gathering of 650 mayors from 195 countries to do so.

Another development in the recent years has been Shri K Chandrashekhar Rao, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana asking people as to ‘ Why not we repeat Pragati’ in Hyderabad and across the state. This clarion call has been given by him in every public rally and while addressing the government machinery. As a result many study teams comprising of government, elected representatives and public have been visiting the Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park near Hyderabad to study the Pragati model. It has culminated into a series of prestigious events including the conference of the Association of Retired Judges of Supreme Court, the All India UPSC Summit and Telangana’s newly elected Corporator’s Conference being organised by the state government.

Also the International Conference on Biodiversity being attended by representatives from 40 countries organised by government of India held at Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park near Hyderabad in the last couple of years. Thereby Pragati’s message of developing a clean and green environment with special focus on herbal and aromatic plants has spread like fire from village to village, from one city to another. Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park near Hyderabad is recognised as a Tourism destination for promotion and development of Horticulture, Ayurveda, and Naturopathy besides reviving the rich tradition of Indian Culture by promoting Festivals, Agriculture, Ayurvedic Medicines, Spa & Aroma Therapy, Herbal Food, Bio and Eco Tourism, all under one roof.

Government and private bodies have acknowledged the notable contribution of Pragati as a global university for learning and skill development in Herbal plantations, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Apiculture other than the above mentioned areas. With these myriad hues of life enlivening the horizon of Pragati Bio diversity Knowledge Park Hyderabad the Group moves ahead to serve humanity, upholding the motto of ‘live and let live.’