05 Jun 2012-07 Jun 2012|Noida | Amity University Campus, Sector-125 Noida
Amity School of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development organises a three day workshop on “Sustainable income by organic farming, export promotion and proper marketing of NTFPs”
Amity School of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development (ASNR&SD) organized a three day workshop on “Sustainable income by organic farming, export promotion and proper marketing of NTFPs” for Van Panchayat Sarpanchs of Uttarakhand State for from June 5-7, 2012 at Amity University Campus, Sector-125, Noida.
The workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Nav Prabhat -MLA & Ex-Forest Minister, Government of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, Dr. S.D. Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests, Delhi Parks and Garden Society, New Delhi and Prof. B.K.P. Sinha Director, ASNR&SD.
Welcoming the august gathering, Prof. B.K.P. Sinha -Director, ASNR&SD outlined the objective and structure of the workshop and highlighting the various technical sessions organized over the three days including “Van Panchayats and Medicinal Plants in Uttarakhand”, “Van Panchayat Policies in Uttarakhand at Different Times, Comparisons and Critical Issues”, “Role of Medicinal Plants in Van Panchayats in Uttarakhand” and many more. Prof. Sinha further, remarked that forest history of Uttarakhand has been very glorious. The people of Uttarakhand have always been aware of the importance of forest development and now, the entire country has gradually realized its importance. He shared that Van Panchayats of Uttarakhand have Rs. 7, 32, 00,000 as funds at their disposal, which they are planning to utilize for further development of the forests in the area.
Sharing his views during the occasion, Mr. Nav Prabhat -MLA & Ex-Forest Minister, Government of Uttarakhand, Dehradun said human beings should stay in harmony with the nature to prolong their existence on the earth, they should not over exploit the natural resources. Mr. Prabhat revealed that in Uttarakhand, there are over 14,000 villages near the forests wherein there are over 12,000 Van Panchayats. In order to strengthen these Van Panchayats, they have to be empowered economically. At present, they are formed as per the guidelines of Forest Department whereas if desired results have to be achieved through them then, Van Panchayats have to be formed through a particular legislation.
Addressing the participants of the workshop, Dr. S.D. Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests, Delhi Parks and Garden Society, New Delhi said that human beings are indebted to the nature which has given them a bounty of resources for sustainance. In return, human beings have to ensure that nature and biodiversity are not exploited. Dr. Singh shared that in Uttarakhand, 5 lakh hectares of land is with Van Panchayats which is being used for growing medicinal plants resulting to the opening of numerous medicinal plants based industries in Uttarkhand and “ mandis” for buying and selling of medicinal plants. Such “ Mandis” are nowhere else across the country.