Division of Social and Basic Sciences within the Faculty of Forestry at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir (SKUAST-K), located in Benhama-Watlar, Ganderbal, orchestrated a day-long awareness program in collaboration with the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Ganderbal, Kashmir. This initiative aimed to enlighten enrolled and alumni students of the Higher Secondary School about the entrepreneurial prospects within forestry and allied sectors.
Dr. Syed Naseem Geelani, the programs coordinator, emphasized the significance of such initiatives in preparing the youth for forthcoming challenges in the job market. Participants were enlightened about various Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) programs and skill development opportunities, fostering empowerment among unemployed youth. The focus on forestry-based enterprises, encompassing nursery technology, sustainable logging practices, eco-tourism, and wildlife conservation, highlighted potential avenues for sustainable livelihoods within rural communities. Additionally, the exploration of opportunities in medicinal and aromatic plants presented promising prospects for bolstering livelihoods in these regions.
A comprehensive discourse was delivered on the crucial importance of forests and forest- related products, emphasizing their pivotal role in sustaining life by providing oxygen. The need to conserve and protect forest resources was underscored. The coordinator also shed light on various training programs offered by the university, including the lucrative domain of
mushroom cultivation, accentuating its manifold benefits.
To further promote environmental conservation, a plantation drive featuring various deodar plants was organized on campus in collaboration with the Division of SAF, FoF. The coordinator extended gratitude to Prof GM Bhat, the Head of the Division of SAF, for providing the saplings.
Appreciation was also 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 collaboration and coordination.
The coordinated 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 acknowledged with gratitude.(KNS)
