SHIMLA: Himalayan   Forest Research Institute(HFRI), Shimla  organized a training programme for the villagers of Badagaon near here on February 17, 2022, gave demonstration on how they can raise plantations for sustainable development and livelihoods through forestry intervention.

It was attended by 40 people from Badagaon and nearby areas. Badagaon in Rajhana Panchayat, district Shimla has been adopted as a demonstration village by HFRI.

Dr. Jagdish Singh scientist-F extension division said the  villagers can earn their livelihood  through forestry intervention.  Plantation will prevent erosion and fodder will also be available to the villagers.  The institute is preparing a nursery of fodder plants in its model nursery Badagaon from where villagers can take fodder plants for plantation around their fields. The institution will develop a fodder plant bank in collaboration with the people in that area, which will meet the fodder needs of the people in the coming time, he said.

Dr. S.S.  Samant, Director HFRI said forestry activities can  be  carried  out in non-forest government  and private land, along the banks of  farmers' fields,  around houses, community land, wasteland and drains. He also mentioned the research and training work done by the Institute on forestry research.

Dr. Samant highlighted the plant species of the Himalayan region in detail and said that forest and biodiversity are very important for life and environment.  Himalayan region is a repository of biodiversity and there are 10502 plant species, out of which about 4000 species are important, he said.

Dr. Lal Singh, Director, Himalayan Research Group-NGO, shared his views on technical interventions to enhance the quality of fodder. In  winter season, when  there is a shortage of green fodder, the  villagers can make up for that shortage by creating silages, in which the nutritional properties of green fodder are known, he added. 

 Dr. Monish Thakur, veterinary officer, veterinary hospital, Harchakian Kangra, Himachal Pradesh gave an insightful feedback to the villagers on  the importance of nutrition required for the cow,  care in their disease, treatment and nutritional importance for increasing milk production.

Dr. Manish Sharma, Professor, Dr. Y.S. Parmar, Horticulture and Forestry, University, Nauni Solan, gave his presentation on the theme "Integration and Management of Vegetables in Agro-forestry System for Sustainable Income Generation".

Dr. Jagdish Singh also shared his views on the farming techniques of temperate medicinal plants.  The farmers can   earn additional income by growing medicinal plants such as kadu, forest cucumber,  chora and  others  among tree species, he said. 

Dr. Sandeep Sharma, scientist-G and group coordinator Research briefed on the theme,  'Modern Nursery Techniques for Growing Quality Planting Stock'. He stressed on the need for high quality nursery plants that can ensure more success rate  than normal plantation.

Dr. Vaneet Jishtu, the field botanist made a presentation on the theme "Measures for Water Conservation through Forestry Interventions".  

Dr.  Praveen Rawat gave a   lecture on bamboo nursery method and its use.  He said that by growing vance, the local people can meet their needs such as fodder, non-essential products. Soil erosion can also be prevented by applying vance along the banks of the drains. 

On this occasion, the institute distributed 200 bamboo and 100 banyan saplings to the villagers on their demand. Reena Thakur, Pradhan, Rajhana Panchayat thanked the director, HFRI for training the people of her panchayat. Mukund Mohan, Up- Pradhan said institute is carrying out various activities in Badagaon which is helping the villagers.