A group of 33 Range Forest Officer (RFO) trainees from the Karnataka Forest Academy, Dharwad—including 24 male and 9 female officers—undertook their 5th study tour to Ladakh from October 1 to 4. The visit aimed to enhance their field knowledge and understanding of forestry practices in extreme high-altitude environments.

During the tour, the trainees visited key ecological and research sites including Hemis National Park, the Plant Field Research Station at Tsokstot (Diskit), Nubra, and the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.

They were briefed by Range Forest Officers of Nubra and Durbuk, who shared insights on afforestation techniques suited to Ladakh’s cold desert ecosystem, such as native species selection, seasonal plantation planning, and strategies to overcome challenges like low soil fertility and water scarcity.

The group also gained valuable exposure to biodiversity conservation efforts, learning about the unique flora and fauna of the Nubra and Changthang regions.

The study tour provided the trainees with practical insights into ecological management and sustainable forestry practices in fragile and climatically challenging landscapes, enriching their overall professional training experience.