Bhaderwah, March 09 : Prof. Manoj Dhar Hon’ble Vice Chancellor University of Jammu today inaugurated two week ‘Skill Development Course on Parataxonomy’ focused on higher plants, birds and butterflies of mountain areas of Jammu and Kashmir being organized by Institute of Mountain Environment, Bhaderwah in collaboration with G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development (GBPNIHESD) from March 09-19, 2019 at IME, Bhaderwah. Over thirty participants from academia, forest and wildlife departments, nature camp managers and researchers are participating in the course. The course has been designed to provide in-depth understanding of contemporary field surveys, sampling protocols, identification and standard preservation methods relating to higher plant groups, birds and butterflies. The training would cover, apart from classroom lectures, field visits in nearby areas, practical knowledge about biodiversity, use value, ecological assessment and digitization with modern tools / techniques.
Prof. Manoj Dhar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu and Chief Patron of the event complimented Prof. Anil Raina, Rector Bhaderwah Campus and Dr Neeraj Sharma, Incharge IME for conceptualizing and materializing this course in partnership with the prestigious G.B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, the premier Institute working on Himalayas. During his presidential address he emphasized that similar partnerships should be developed at larger scale integrating other partners working in the same domain. This being the first of its kind, the skill development course will be instrumental in promoting the better job options for the young youth of this mountainous region of the state, he added. He wished all success to the training course. Prof. Dhar said that the entire team of Bhaderwah Campus is working hard to make this institution one of the best educational hub of India. He also apprised the audience that all the left over buildings including the staff residential quarters, hostels, guest house, etc. in the Campus premises shall be completed in the stipulated time.
Dr. R.S. Rawal, Director GBPNIHESD and Chief Guest on the occasion called for the strengthening of this partnership by holding more such capacity building programmes with wider scope and duration. He also appreciated the efforts put in by the Institute of Mountain Environment in strengthening the research and outreach network especially in context with the mountain biodiversity. He later interacted with the course participants and apprised them about the importance of such courses and advised the participants to learn maximum out of the theory and hands on sessions during the course of this training. Such skill development workshops will enhance the knowledge base of the participants to better understand the elements of nature and their interactions in closer way, he added.
Earlier Prof. Anil Raina, Rector Bhadewah Campus and Chairman Skill Development workshop formally welcomed the Guests and extended his gratitude to the esteemed guests for their gracious presence. Dr. Shahid Mughal, Chairman Bhaderwah Municipal Corporation was the Guest of Honour during the function. Sh. Rajeshwar Singh Jasrotia retired IFS Officer an eminent forester and special guest on the occasion stressed upon the need of holding such skill orientation workshops with more emphasis on the field surveys wherein the participants get exposed to the practical aspect of nature.
Dr. K. Chandra Sekar, Senior Scientist GBPNIHESD the Convener of the course introduced the theme of the course and apprised the audience about the idea and objectives of the course. The course will involve 5 technical sessions per day including the theory and hands on practicals following the field trips, he said.
The pocket guides comprising the familiar alpine plants, birds and butterflies were also released during the function. The pictorial pocket guides will be beneficial for the amateur naturalists, hobbyists, students and researchers in better understanding these groups in their identification and geographical distribution, Dr. Neeraj elaborated during the unveiling ceremony .
Dr Neeraj Sharma, Incharge IME presented formal vote of thanks. The inaugural function was followed by a sham-e-Ghazal. Other dignitaries present on the occasion included Dr Neeraj Sharma, Special Secretary to Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Mr Suresh Sharma, Ex. En, University of Jammu, Dr. Imran Farooq, PRO to Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Mr. Ravi Pathak, Researcher GBPNIHESD, officers from forest and wildlife department, officers from civil society, prominent citizens of Bhaderwah, course participants, faculty members and officials from Bhaderwah Campus and researchers from IME.
