Srinagar October 02 (KNS): Faculty of Forestry, SKUAST-Kashmir conducted one day awareness program on “Entrepreneurship opportunities in Forestry and allied sectors” under Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), GOI at Govt. High School Bandipora.
Division of Social & Basic Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Benhama Watlar Ganderal, SKUAST-Kashmir today conducted One day awareness Program entitled “Entrepreneurship opportunities in Forestry and allied sectors” at Govt. Boys High School ,Bandipora.
The inaugural event started with the welcome address by Dr. Nisar Ahmad Parra, Teacher, GHS, Bandipora, who in his address said that conducting such programmes for the entrepreneurship development among the youth will show the path towards entrepreneurship at an early stage.
Dr Syed Naseem Geelani, Head , Division of Social & Basic Sciences said in his address, that he is a passout of this school and was eager to conduct this program in this school only. Dr Naseem said that Entrepreneurship opportunities in forestry and allied sectors are vast and diverse, offering the potential for both economic success and environmental sustainability. There are many ideas and opportunities in this field. If we talk of Reforestation and afforestation programs, we can start a tree nursery to produce and sell saplings of native and valuable tree species. We can develop reforestation and afforestation projects and seek funding from environmental organizations and government grants. Other sectors include Cricket Bat Industry. Cricket bat Industry in Kashmir has potential for growth if manufacturers maintain quality.
The industry employs over 50,000 people directly and indirectly. It’s a Rs 100 crore industry. With Regard to Medicinal and Aromatic plants, it has the potential to contribute about Rs 75 crore annually after five years.
Dr Showket A Dar, Assistant Professor at SBS spoke on the occasion and said that apiculture has great potential and can contribute well in the economics of the UT of J&K.
The region has a conducive climate for beekeeping and diverse forest resources. Forest Honey can be a good product for entrepreneurship in forestry sector. Our region produces an estimated 70 metric tonnes of honey.
Mr Javaid Jawad, Headmaster ,Govt Middle School, Onagam also spoke on the occasion and said that the students should take a lesson from honeybees which keep a good company and get best nector out of best flowers in the areas and the other houseflies do not keep good company and are not taken well by all of us. Organizers thanked Staff of GHS, Bandipora especially Madam Fahmeeda, Headmistress of the School for her support and coordination
Coordinators acknowledged the efforts and support of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganiae and Director, Planning and Monitoring, Prof. H. R.Naik, Dean Faculty of Forestry, Prof. S. A. Gangoo.
Coordinators were also very much thankful to the sponsoring agency, Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Govt. of India, New Delhi.(KNS)