Srinagar September 21 (KNS): Faculty of Forestry, Benhama-Watlar, SKUAST-K today organized One Day long awareness Program on Importance of forests in our life. The Program was organized by Division of Social and Basic Sciences FOF, Benehama in collaboration with Government Girls school, Onagam Bandipora. During the event 61 students and teachers of the school visited Benehama campus of SKUAST-K.

Dr Syed Naseem Geelani, Associate Professor and Head Division of Social and Basic Sciences who is also Students Welfare Officer proposed formal welcome address. He briefly highlighted the importance of Forests and need to conserve them. He further shared his valuable views on different environmental issues.

Prof. S.A Gangoo, Dean Faculty of Forestry highlighted the importance of forests and their role in mitigation of climate change. He further informed the students regarding the Forest types of Jammu and Kashmir UT and the different activities which are going in Faculty of Forestry.

Forests absorb greenhouse gases, regulate water flow and protect communities from extreme conditions, said Prof. S.A Gangoo in his address. Earlier, Field visit to Experimental Nursery of FOF was conducted in presence of Dr. Syed Naseem Geelani, Prof. G.M Bhat, Dr. Showkat Ahmad, teachers of Government Girls school, Onagam and Mr. Jauhar Rafeeq, Ph.D Scholar. Prof. G.M Bhat, Head, Silviculture and Agroforestry informed the students regarding different practices for production of Quality planting material (QPM) of different conifers, Deciduous plants and cultivation of various medicinal plants. Forests are home to various medicinal plants which are used in the treatment of different diseases, said Prof. G.M Bhat in his speech. In the field, students were shown different plants including, Cedrus deodara, Cupressus torulosa, Cryptomeria japonica, Pinus walliachiana, Ulmus vilosa and other important plants.

Students also visited Apiary unit of FOF Benehama, Dr. Showkat Ahmad, Assistant Professor Entomology, Faculty of Forestry shared his views with students on importance of honey bees. Bees are important part of biodiversity on which we all depend for our survival, said Dr. Showkat in his address.

Mr Javaid Ahmad, Headmaster Government Girls school, Onagam Bandipora in his address said that awareness programs on role of Forests should be conducted in future also. He thanked Faculty of Forestry for inviting them to Benehama campus.

The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. G.M Bhat, Head Division of Silviculture and Agroforestry. He thanked the students, teachers and Scientists of FOF for sparing their time in the Programme. The program was anchored by Jauhar Rafeeq, President Student Council of the Faculty.(KNS)