Lucknow, May 27 -- : The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) will set up the city's first gene bank at the upcoming Gomti Biodiversity Park to preserve endangered and rare plant species. The project also aims to develop a biodiversity and research hub in the city.

LDA on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a private university for the construction and operation of the specialised laboratory. LDA vice-chairman Prathamesh Kumar signed the agreement and gave formal approval for the project.

Officials said the gene bank will come up over nearly two acres within the biodiversity park and experts from the private university will supervise and operate the facility.

Prathamesh Kumar said LDA had reclaimed nearly 75 acres of...