What's New

Two-day workshop
(27-28 May 2008)
           
On
Assessment of Available Areas for Increasing the Forest Cover by Greening the Land Outside Forest Area sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forests.

One-day National workshop
(16 May 2008)
           
On
Conservation of Natural Resources and Indian Culture”, at Amity School of Natural Resources & Sustainable Development, Sector 125, Noida.

Two-Day State Level Seminar
(24-25 July 2007)
           
On
Techniques of Technology Transfer with respect to Bamboo under National Bamboo Mission.

WORKSHOP Archives



Two-day workshop on “Assessment of Available Areas for Increasing the Forest Cover by Greening the Land Outside Forest Area” sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forests on May 27-28, 2008.




Dignitaries on the dias from left to right: Dr. Raj Singh, Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Maj. Gen. R.K. Dhawan and Mr. S.S. Sharma


Various forest policies have kept a target of 33 per cent of the geographical area to be brought under tree cover. However, at present we have around 23 per cent of geographical area under forest. Out of this 23 per cent, the actual forest cover with proper canopy density is only about 11.9 per cent. Despite the 33 per cent target of Forest Policy 1988 being in vogue for over two decades we have not been making much headway to achieve or even to be anywhere near about the target. Currently effective tree cover is only of the order of around 3.1 per cent of geographical area.



Release of brochure
There are extensive areas available either with the community or with other government institutions which can be brought under tree cover. Primarily, a large proportion of such areas are not suitable for cultivation or for raising any annual crops. They are either in the category of problem lands (saline alkaline, ravines, water logged, etc.) which can only be reclaimed through bringing these under perennial crops like tree or suitable shrubs which can be grown on such areas for their optimum utilization. These lands are at present deteriorating at very fast rate because of unsustainable and improper land use. As such, there is an urgent need to create awareness about (a) the role of trees for such lands (Restoration of carbon, nitrogen and nutrient cycle), and (b) to prepare a viable strategy for their reclamation.



Our Pro-Vice Chancellor (A) Dr. Raj Singh honouring the Chief Guest Dr. Sanjay Kumar






View of participants


Keeping above factors in mind it becomes imperative that we effectively assess the availability of land for increased tree cover. It is thus that our school had conducted the above two-day workshop duly sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India, New Delhi.

There were around 25 participants from various disciplines and walks of life, mostly from State Forest Departments. Senior Indian Forest Service Officers and others were addressed by learned speakers whose stimulating presentations were well received and appreciated by one and all.

During the valedictory session three Ex-Director General (Forests), Ministry of Environment and Forests viz. (i) Mr. A.K. Mukerji, (ii) Dr. J.C. Kala, and (iii) Mr. J.P.L. Srivastava interacted with the participants and helped in formulating relevant recommendations