About RRA

The National Bioresource Development Board (NBDB), recently established by the Government, has taken a pro-active role in creating better awareness on issues concerning biodiversity and bioresources. As a part of its mandate, it proposes to promote deeper awareness among school going students about the importance of our environment, biodiversity, biotechnology and the relation of all these with everyday life.

It is with this objective that Department of Biotechnology has proposed establishment of ‘DBTs Natural resources Awareness Clubs for School Children–The DNA Clubs’ for School Children across the country. It has been decided to identify a few Regional Resource Agencies (RRAs) for coordinating the DNA clubs. RRA is a programme for promoting interest and knowledge about the natural resources and environment, to increase awareness of the economic, cultural, scientific values of flora and fauna, and also to make aware the impact that emerging technologies have no maintenance and enhancement of bioresources.

Responsibilities of Regional Resource Agencies:

  • From national level implementation perspective the country would be divided into 5-6 zones with flexible boundaries. The divisions could also be state wise and each RRA would be responsible for at least 2-3 states.
  • Each regional resource agency will identify 10 lead schools in each of the states in their identified zones which will be responsible for individual DNA clubs. The selection of schools would be made as per guidelines approved by DBT.
  • Broadly each RRA would be responsible for the following:
    • Selection of school
    • Defining activities and training calendar
    • Arranging field visit, lab visit, etc
    • Arranging invited lecture
    • Arrange Quiz and other competition
    • Arrange vacation training programme
    • Monitor implementation of school activities
    • Training of teachers
    • Disbursement of funds
    • Conducting vacation training programme at least 5 per year outsourced preferably to Government institutions having expertise as laid in the guidelines of the vacation training programme.