The Division of Social and Basic Sciences at the Faculty of Forestry, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), situated in Benhama-Watlar, Ganderbal, recently organized a day-long awareness program in partnership with the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ganderbal, Kashmir. The primary goal of this initiative was to educate current and former students of the Higher Secondary School about the entrepreneurial opportunities available in forestry and related fields.
Dr. Syed Naseem Geelani, the coordinator of the program, stressed the importance of such endeavors in preparing young individuals for the challenges they may face in the job market. Attendees were informed about various Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) programs and skill development opportunities, aimed at empowering unemployed youth. The discussion centered on forestry-based enterprises, including nursery technology, sustainable logging practices, eco-tourism, and wildlife conservation, highlighting potential avenues for sustainable livelihoods in rural communities. Additionally, the exploration of opportunities in medicinal and aromatic plants offered promising prospects for enhancing livelihoods in these regions.
A comprehensive presentation underscored the critical importance of forests and forest-related products, emphasizing their role in sustaining life by producing oxygen. The imperative to conserve and protect forest resources was emphasized. Dr. Geelani also elaborated on various training programs offered by the university, notably focusing on the lucrative domain of mushroom cultivation and its manifold benefits.
In furtherance of environmental conservation efforts, a plantation drive featuring various deodar plants was conducted on campus in collaboration with the Division of SAF, FoF. Dr. Geelani expressed gratitude to Prof GM Bhat, the Head of the Division of SAF, for providing the saplings.
Acknowledgment was extended to the Principal of Government Girls Higher Secondary Ganderbal and their team, including Mrs. Qurat, Lecturer of Botany, and Mr. Riyaz Ahmad, Lecturer of Geography, for their valuable collaboration and coordination.
The collective efforts and support from various stakeholders, including the Honorable Vice-Chancellor, Director of Planning and Monitoring, Dean of the Faculty of Forestry, and the sponsoring agency, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Government of India, were gratefully acknowledged. (KNS)
