Bali Bhagat reviews functioning of SFRI Ganderbal

Inaugurates Field Research Station complex

5 Dariya News (Rouf Pampori)

Srinagar 10-Sep-2015

Minister for Forests, Environment, Ecology and Social Welfare Bali Bhagat today visited State Forest Research Institute, Dogpora, Haran Ganderbal and took stock of its functioning.The Institute is a conifer nursery spread over an area of 60 hectares where broad leaved plants are raised. It was established in 2010-11 as a hi-tech nursery with the aim to produce conifer, broad leaved and cotton free popular plants. The institute, in addition to a plant production nursery is also a research institute where research work on different forest spices including conifer, popular and medicinal plants is also conducted.

The Minister inspected seed testing research laboratory, nurseries, germination units, male popular coppice garden, shade, poly and green houses during the visit.Mr. Bhagat directed the concerned for identifying the land in the forest area for the purpose of planting saplings produced in the institute in a natural way.Briefing the Minister, Project Coordinator Dr. Sayeed Tariq informed that about 3000 plants of black cardamom have been planted in three beds in the institute, adding that these would be later used for inter-cropping. 

He informed that over 1000 plants of same spices have also been planted in Billawar area of Kathua District on experimental basis, saying that the plantation of black cardamom would be expanded in hilly area of other districts of the State as well.The Minister was further informed that over 16 lakh seedlings and plants of conifer and other forest spices were provided to people and other allied wings of the forest department.The Minister also inaugurated Field Research Station complex in the Institute. The 2-storey complex equipped with all necessary facilities has been constructed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh. Later, Mr. Bhagat also visited Forest nursery Malhar and took stock of its functioning.

Among others, Principal Secretary, Forests R K Gupta, Director, State Forest Research Institute, Dogpora, Haran Ganderbal Upinder Panchnanda, Director, Forest Protection Force Suresh Kumar Gupta, Director, soil Conservation Ravi Kesar, Director, Social Forestry Suresh Chugh, Director, Environment & Remote Sensing O P Sharma, Chief wild life warden Deepak Khanna, besides other senior officers of forests department and its allied wings were present on the occasion.