One-day training programme on ‘Forestry Interventions for Productivity Enhancement’ for the various stakeholders of Ladakh was organised by Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla, in collaboration with National Research Institute of Sowa Rigpa, Ladakh UT, Forest department and SKUAST (K) on July 9.

Jagdish Singh, Scientist-F and Training Coordinator, HFRI Shimla detailed the training programme and thanked the National Research Institute of Sowa Rigpa, Ladakh UT Forest department and SKUAST (K) for collaborating to organize this training programme.  
 
Dr Sandeep Sharma, Scientist-G and Group Coordinator Research, HFRI briefed about HFRI, Shimla and its mandate. He highlighted important research carried out by HFRI in Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Ladakh region.

Dr S.S. Samant, Director, HFRI, Shimla hoped that this training programme will encourage and enlighten the participants towards forestry interventions for productivity enhancement of biodiversity, which can result in mitigating climate change impacts. Dr Samant highlighted important research carried out by HFRI in Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Ladakh region.

Dr Padma Gurmet, Director NRISR, Leh informed about Ladakh and its uniqueness in terms of its topography, vegetation and its rich resources which are highly sensitive to climate change. He talked about traditional medicinal plants for healthcare and livelihood. He stressed following the traditional medicinal healthcare system to cure various minor ailments. 

Dr Sandeep Sharma spoke about Modern nursery and plantation techniques for productivity enhancement. He emphasized that scientific plantation techniques should be followed to increase the chances of survival of plantations. Dr. Vaneet Jishtu, Scientist-E, HFRI talked about the Identification and uses of medicinal plants of Cold Deserts. Jagdish Singh spoke on the Cultivation of high value temperate medicinal plants for diversification and sustainable income generation. He also presented success stories of the institute to the farmers. He hoped that farmers will also adopt new research techniques developed by the institute to gain economic benefits. 

Stanzin Landol, Technical Officer, CAZRI, Leh gave a presentation on Agroforestry practices, objectives and their benefits in the Cold desert. Mohammad Ali, DFO Leh, gave a lecture on raising quality planting stock of important forestry species in the cold desert of Leh. Zuber Ahmed, CEO, Ladakh Organic Farmers Foundation, apprised participants about Organic farming for sustainable development and told them that organic farming is going to be a reality throughout the world soon. He narrated practical examples of his work which included the raising of medicinal plants, organic composting, mushroom cultivation and poultry. 

Dr Vaneet Jishtu thanked the participants for showing interest in this training programme. He hoped that the collaboration between HFRI, Shimla National Research Institute of Sowa Rigpa, Ladakh UT, Forest department and SKUAST (K) will further be strengthened in the future also. Certificates were distributed by Director HFRI, for participants.