Training camp on preparing Eco-Risk Managers concludes at UHF Nauni

Dharamshala, November 27, 2018: Climate change is happening all over the world and Himachal Pradesh is also not untouched by it. The biggest impact of weather change is on ecological balance and agriculture. In order to deal with these conditions, rural youths are required to build their capacity in the form of 'Eco-Risk Manager' because this is the group, which has to work in accordance with climate change and learn about latest environment conservation and farming techniques.

In this context a seven-day training on preparing ‘Eco-Risk Managers’ was organised by the Department of Environment Science at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni. The National Science and Technology Communication Council sponsored the training, which was attended by forty-two progressive farmers from Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Kullu, Chamba and Kinnaur districts of the state.

In this training camp, the participants were apprised about the different aspects of environment, agriculture and natural resources. The participants were trained on carrying out agricultural activities based on weather forecasts, soil health and soil moisture management, water management, crop diversification and selection of crop varieties. The trainees also got a chance to learn about beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, disease management, use of solar energy and solar-dryers, cultivation of medicinal plants, livestock and grass management, integrated agriculture model, eco-tourism and reducing ecological footprint.

The purpose of this camp was to improve the capacity of eco-risk managers and apprise them about the proper management, exploitation and conservation of natural resources like water, forests etc. Training coordinator Dr Satish Bhardwaj urged all the participants to work as eco-risk managers in their respective areas and make agricultural business profitable in the changing climate. He explained that the department will continue to provide scientific information in this context and keep the eco-risk managers informed about the latest techniques.