LEH, AUGUST
24: Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla organized a
2-day training programme on “Seed and Nursery Techniques of Juniper and
Important Medicinal Plants of Cold Desert Region” at its Cold Desert Field
Research Station-cum-Van Vigyan Kendra, Leh on 20th & 21st August
2018 for the frontline field staff of twin districts of Leh & Kargil Forest
Divisions and progressive farmers in collaboration with the Jammu & Kashmir
Forest Department.
The event was
inaugurated by Shri Dorjay Motup, Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh
Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh by planting a seedling of
Juniper in the campus of Cold Desert Field Research Station-cum-Van Vigyan
Kendra, Leh.
Speaking on the
occasion, Shri Dorjay Motup, said
that Juniper is very pious plant in cold desert and plays very important role
in the ecology of the region. He appreciated the efforts of the Scientists of
HFRI, Shimla in breaking the seed dormancy of Juniper and successfully
established nursery stock of this species. He also thanked the Director, HFRI
for providing training to the field functionaries of Leh & Kargil Forest
Divisions and hoped that the participants will learn the practical aspects of
growing and conserving Juniper and important high altitude medicinal plants. He
further stressed that state Forest Department of J&K will work together
with HFRI, Shimla in implementing various standardized techniques developed in
the forestry sector for conserving fragile ecosystem of the cold desert.
Dr. Sandeep
Sharma, Senior Scientist, HFRI, Shimla welcomed the Chief Guest and all
participants and highlighted the activities and achievements of
the Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla, which is one of the
regional research Institutes under Indian Council of
Forestry Research & Education, Dehradun. He said that last year
Institute organized a Kisan Mela at Cold Desert Field Research Station-cum-Van
Vigyan Kendra, Leh and it was then requested by the participants for organizing
a training programme on Juniper technology for the benefits of field
functionaries of forest department and local communities. Conceding the
request, the HFRI decided to organize the training on Juniper and high altitude
cold desert medicinal plants in collaboration with J&K Forest Department.
He maintained that the Institute will supply Juniper seedlings raised at HFRI
nurseries in Himachal Pradesh to the state forest department to establish a
demonstration plot on trial basis in the Ladakh region.
Shri Pitamber
Singh Negi, Scientist, HFRI, Shimla, who has developed seeds and nursery
technology of Juniper shared his experience on the subject with the
participants. He elaborated all the details right from its seed collection
to the establishment of nursery stock and plantation.
Shri Mohammad
Abbass, DFO, Leh deliberated on the scenario of natural regeneration of Juniper
and other cold desert species and its importance to the Ladakh region.
Participants also
visited high tech nursery of SKAUST-K at Stakna where Dr. Anil Kumar, Scientist
oriented about green house/ polyhouse and trench cultivation techniques of
vegetables and horticulture crops important to the region. In the afternoon Dr.
Sandeep Sharma, Scientist HFRI, delivered a lecture on organic farming
composting and vermin-composting techniques.
Shri
Tsering Angdu, Executive Councilor, Agriculture, Ladakh Autonomous Hill
Development Council, Leh also planted a seedling of Juniper in
the campus and also distributed certificates to the participants and
appreciated the efforts of HFRI for their proactive efforts in developing the
nursery technique of juniper and organizing such kind of training in the Ladakh
region.
This training was attended by about thirty (30) participants from
frontline field staff from Leh and Kargil Forest Divisions and interested
progressive farmers from Leh region.
