Srinagar, Dec 29 (KNS): Dr Mohit Gera (IFS), Principal Chief Conservator and Head of Forest Forces (PCCF & HFF) with Conservator of Forests, Irfan Shah (IFS), DFO Sind Owais Farooq, Research Officer (JKFRI) Tariq and other officials from forest department, government of Jammu and Kashmir visited the Faculty of Forestry, Benhama-Watlar, SKUAST-K on 28th December, 2021.
The visit was to develop collaboration of forest department with Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-K. The interaction meeting conveyed between forest officials and Faculty started with the welcome address by Dr Akhlaq Wani Associate Professor followed by a detailed presentation on Academic and Research achievements of the faculty vis a vis a way forward by Prof. Tariq H. Masoodi, Dean Faculty of Forestry. Prof. Masoodi said that the Faculty is now excelling in Teaching, Research and Extension that has been endorsed at national level.
Dr Masoodi apprised the chief guest that the faculty is already working on many researchable issues which are both basic and applied in nature.
He further said that some projects have been submitted to funding agencies which will give a better understanding regarding sustainable development of forests.
Dr Mohit Gera, thanked the Dean and Scientists for their overwhelming response for this interaction and further said that the scientific interventions are important to solve some the burning issues which are being faced by the forest department.
Dr Gera advised scientists of the faculty to start work on energy plantations, Fertigation of conifers for production of QPM, demand of wood for various purposes in Kashmir valley, cultivation of mutipurpose tree species, value chain analysis of morchella and other NTFPs and clonal forestry.
Some of the issues which are having national importance were also discussed.
All the Scientists presented their view point on the priority research areas being undertaken by them and the research scholars working under their guidance.
Scientists further elaborated that they are ready to conduct the need based research required by the forest department.
The meeting ended with vote of thanks presented by Prof. S.A.Gangoo, Head FPU, Faculty of Forestry.
Dr Mohit Gera along with Dean, officers of forest department and other faculty members then visited the different research trials of the faculty.
He appreciated the work done by the scientists in the campus which is located on southern rugged hill slopes at Benhama Ganderbal. While concluding his visit Dr Gera assured that this is the beginning of our collaboration which will go a long way and bear fruits of mutual interest in Academics, Research and Outreach in the field of forestry. (KNS)