The book contains some of the important research works being carried out on plants and microorganisms prevalent in the region. While enumerating the distribution of bio- resources, the book highlights possible use of phyto-chemicals, micro-organisms and their products for various applications. The book highlights scope for multidisciplinary research in discovery of new bioactive molecules from plants and microorganisms. The huge gene pool of the non- culturable bacteria for the purpose of industrial enzymes as well as other products would comprise metagenomic exploitation of unknown microbial diversity. This modem metagenomic approach is expected to assist food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries in a Big way. The prospect of biotechnological intervention of plants and microbes, as well as synthesis and application of nanoparticles/composites for addressing various concerns of the ecosystem has also been presented. The book presents twenty recommendations towards prospective use and conservation of plant and microbial resources of the North Eastern Region of the country.

Dr. Bolin Kumar Konwar, born in 1958 amidst the lush greenery Towkok Tea Estate, Sonari, Cheraideo sub-division of Siwasagar District, Assam; he is fourth out of six children of Powal Chandra Konwar and Dharmeswari Konwari. Completing the lower primary school in the tea estate itself, he got admitted into BBBM Higher Secondary School at Sonari town, for which every day he has to walk more than 30 km over a very bad dusty and muddy road. He passed HSLCE in 1975 with first division and letter marks in two subjects, became Agri. graduate in 1981 with first class and gold medal from Assam Agricultural University. He obtained M Sc Agri. in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University in 1983 with first class distinction. In 1984, he joined Assam Agricultural University as Lecturer in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics. In the next year he became Assistant Professor. Obtaining an overseas fellowship in 1988 he went for higher study in the Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, University of London. London and obtained DIC in Microbiology and Ph D in Plant Biotechnology. Returning to the country in 1992, he joined back Assam Agril. University and became Associate Professor in 1994. In the next year, he joined Tocklai Experimental Station, Tea Research Association, Jorhat as a Senior Scientist (Biotechnology) at the age of 36 years. In 1997 became In-charge and in 1999 Head of Botany and Biotechnology. In 2002, he joined Tezpur University (central), Napaam, Tezpur, Assam as Professor of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and took the responsibility of Head of Department for six years. In 2008, he became Dean, School of Science and Technology. On 7th September, 2011 he was appointed as Vice-Chancellor, Nagaland University (Central), HQ: Lumami (Meriema, Medziphema, Dimapur), Nagaland. He has carried out 12 research projects of national importance being the Principal Investigator. A total of 40 M Sc students carried out research projects under him both at Assam Agricultural University and Tezpur University. So far 9 scholars obtained Ph D degree under his supervision and 5 are about to complete. He and his research group so far deposited 10 gene (DNA) sequences in National/International Gene Banks. Dr. Konwar with his research group published 115 research papers in reputed international/ national journals, 42 in seminar/conference Proceedings, and presented 88 research papers in different seminars/ conferences all over the country and abroad. He published more than 130 popular science, environment, biotechnology, history, national integration, higher education, research needs and other articles in various Assamese magazines and newspapers, as well as more than 30 scientific articles in English Magazines in addition to 5 books and book chapters.