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Detailed explanation-1: -The Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday approved the country’s first-of-its-kind gene bank programme in the State. The programme is aimed at conserving native biodiversity to ensure that natural resources are passed on to the next generation.

Detailed explanation-2: -India’s first genetic bank for wildlife conservation inaugurated in Hyderabad. National Wildlife Genetic Resource Bank was inaugurated at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology’s (CCMB) Laboratory of Conservation of Endangered Species (LaCONES) facility in Hyderabad, Telanagana.

Detailed explanation-3: -Detailed Solution. The correct answer is Maharashtra. Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the ‘Maharashtra Gene Bank’, a first-of-its-kind project in India.

Detailed explanation-4: -Notes: Maharashtra Cabinet approved the ‘Maharashtra Gene Bank’, a first-of-its-kind project in India. To conserve genetic resources in Maharashtra including marine diversity, seeds of local crops, and animal diversity. In the next five years, an amount of Rs 172.39 crores will be spent on these seven focus areas.

Detailed explanation-5: -The National Gene Bank established in the year 1996 to preserve the seeds of Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) for future generations, has the capacity to preserve about one million germplasm in the form of seeds.