Two-day Training Workshop for Indian Forest Service (IFS) Officers
On

"Prevention, Control and Management of Forest Invasive Species - Strategies"
(June 3-4, 2013)


Bamboo being renewal source of biomass is the most diverse group of plants in the grass family, which finds its diverse application in the day to day life from the very beginning of civilization. Utilization of bamboo is multifold. Bamboo has strength, flexibility, durability and versatility.

The threat to biodiversity due to Invasive Alien Species (IAS) and Forest Invasive Species (FIS) can be considered second only to that of habitat destruction. Invasive species cause loss of biodiversity including species extinctions, besides changes in hydrology and ecosystem function. Invasive species thus pose a serious hindrance to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, with significant undesirable impacts on the goods and services provided by ecosystems. Native ecosystem having undergone human induced disturbances are often more prone to alien invasion because of less competition from native species. IAS can also affect human health. Infectious diseases are often IAS imported by travelers or vectored by exotic species of birds, rodents, insects, plants, etc.

Over the last many decades, without realizing the consequences a number of Forest Invasive Species (FIS), have been introduced in India knowingly or unknowingly. The FIS are further categorized as floral (weeds and plants having national and regional distribution), entomological (insects) and pathogenic (fungi). Approximately, 111 FIS have been identified under the above mentioned categories. No systematic studies have been carried out so far to inventorize the FIS available in its various biogeographial regions. Many of the invasive species have naturalized in India and are being used for various purposes ranging from medicinal uses, attachments to religious sentiments to uses in furniture, compositing etc. Appropriate strategies will have to be devised for their control, eradication and management in consultation with various stakeholders.

At present, there is lack of awareness among the public of the existing and potential threats of the IAS/FIS and also no systematic national level initiative has been undertaken in this direction. The best way to control invasive species is prevention which can only be achieved through effective awareness and proper/committed vigilance.

Keeping above in mind, Amity School of Natural Resources and Sustainable Development had organised the above Two-day training workshop duly sponsored by Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

21 IFS Officers participants from 14 States/Union Territory had attended this training workshop. They were addressed by renowned resource persons in their respective fields during the technical session.

Broad comments by participant officers:

  • Study material good as reference guide and course contents very useful.
  • Enlightening interaction during technical sessions for effective understanding and for taking proper decisions.
  • Class room facilities very good.
  • To collect data from different states about main invasive species for proper control measures.

PHOTOGRAPH


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Dignitaries on the Dias – Dr. S. Nautiyal, Head, Forest Research Institute, Dehradun - Chief Guest; Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Acting Vice Chancellor; Dr. Sunil Saran, Sr. Vice Chairman, ASTIF and Prof. B.K.P. Sinha, Director, ASNRSD Dignitaries lighting the lamp of knowledge
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Acting Vice Chancellor, AUUP addressing the IFS Officer participants Release of study material
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Dr. Sunil Saran and Dr. Balvinder Shukla honouring the Chief Guest A view of participants -- Class in session
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A view of participants -- Class in session Group Photograph of participants with Dr. S. Nautiyal, Head, Forest Research Institute; Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Acting Vice Chancellor; Dr. Sunil Saran, Sr. Vice Chairman, ASTIF; Prof. B.K.P. Sinha, Director, ASNRSD and Staff Members