Borjuli Wild Rice Site Declared Biodiversity Heritage Site

### Why in News? - The **Borjuli site in Sonitpur district, Assam**, was notified as a **Biodiversity Heritage Site** for conservation of wild rice. ### Key Details - The site supports a viable population of **Oryza rufipogon**, the wild progenitor of cultivated rice. - Conservation work is being carried out under an **NRAA-funded** project implemented by **ICAR-NBPGR** with the Assam State Biodiversity Board. - Wild rice is valuable because it carries genetic traits that can support crop improvement, including tolerance to environmental stresses. ### Exam Connect - **Biodiversity Heritage Site** → Area of biodiversity importance notified under the Biological Diversity framework. - **Oryza rufipogon** → Wild relative of cultivated rice.