 |
J&K FOREST RESEARCH INSTITUTION SAN RESEARCH || BY BHUSHAN PARIMOO || LIVE IMAGE |
A
flight of imagination of highest order was echoed. In the 5th meeting
of the Board of Governors (BOG) Jammu and Kashmir State Forest Research
Institute (SFRI) on 21 1st of June 2016 at Srinagar. Wherein loft
claims presented all in rosy colours. Choudhary Lal Singh Minister
for Forest, Environment and Ecology chaired the meeting.
And naturally
played the orchestra for which he is known. And others those present
as were supposed to listen did it so. Participants were Vice-Chancellor,
Shere-i-Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology-Jammy
(SKUAST-J) Pradeep K Sharma, the then Principal Secretary
Forests, R K Gupta, Principal Chief Conservator, Forests, A K
Singh, the then Chief Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, Deepak Khanna, the then
Director Social Forestry, Suresh Chugh, the then Director State Forest
Research Institute (SFRI) Suresh Gupta. Wherein ambitious targets
were set.
Meeting held after gap of three years as said.
Question
arises why only four meeting in 24 years of its existence. What
for is the Board of Directors. They have created the mess under which
this institute is reeling.Need is to hold them responsible and proceed.Mr
Singh called for devising a comprehensive plan to develop adequate
number of green pastures across the State. He directed SFRI officials
to upgrade their nurseries and set a target of planting one crore
saplings which would help Jammu and Kashmir to turn greener.
The Minister
assured SFRI officials that additional staff would be provided
to achieve the target. He further said that among these one crore
saplings, the SFRI should plant 20 per cent fruit nurseries.
Singh
also stressed on developing barren lands, preferably near populated
localities, for producing fodder based plants and special species
of grasses suiting the climate, which are useful for catering to
local needs. Mr Singh directed digitization of Forest land and asked
for regular patrolling of Forests by FPF guards. Emphasis
was made for upgrading the seed testing laboratories, nurseries,
germination units, green houses.
He said that scientific methods
should be adopted to carry out functions of the department. As a
person from rural orientation where soul of the state lies. His line to
action plan no doubt had been perfect in tune on ground realities.That
is need of the hour and neglected to the hilt. It appears
Choudhary Lal Singh talked and others gave him a solace ear. Proceedings
were made public through Media with glaring highlights.
This
writer has been forced to ponder as a commoner. Why thread bare discussion
was not taken across the table. If it had then why corrected
measures has not been initiated. Because the very ingredients
requires to research are not there. Neither Scientists, not
laboratories to conduct research. Institution is asking repeatedly for
about 40 number of scientist to conduct research work since day one.
Even after 25 years the basic requirement is not redressed. What at
present is Singh Board moderate structures to carry ministerial job and
a few officers to make believe that a Forest Research Institute do exists
in the state as well. That is all to write home about. Research
is
not like a instant Coffee Making machine.
It takes years, even decades
to understand the behavior of Flora and Fuana. Nature on the this
Planet is researcher unsurpassed which from the start of evolution
is carrying consistent research. And still continues relentlessly
the process only one needs temperament to fathom. Every moment
we come across new finds.
Readers may like that it was 1989 Bansi
Dhar states ace Agrostoslogist was deputed to News land to study Alpine
Grasses there.He made a point to meet Dr John Wilkinson from
the
Department of Scientific and Industrial Research New Zealand who was
working on Willow for years. Interaction revealed has been carrying
research on it for about 25 years.That is how research is carried.
Jammu
and Kashmir State Forest Research Institute (SFRI was baptized in
march 1990 .Records show it has failed to kindle the fire Ab initio .
Thus growth is as medically called retarded one. Because of inherited
deficiencies but curable. Envisaged to be the apex level institute
in the Forest Research. Subsequently was converted in to an autonomous
organization, registered under Jammu and Kashmir Societies Registration
Act. VI of 1998 (1941 A.D) in 1995.
Why and what for a full
fledged government Department was made a NGO.
Who initiated the proposal
and got it approved is quite intriguing. Again the moment it got
registered as a Society and declared an autonomous Organization.
Why
it was allowed to dovetail it to the Forest Department.
Why exchequers
finance it when it has served its links with the parent department.
Why it has not raised its resources ,authorities fumble with
words to provide any cogent reason except pass on the buck on their
predecessors.
Government should come out with a clear cut policy either
delink this Research Institute from Society status or let it grow
of its own between two stools it is always a fall and that has been
experienced so far. Since
march 1990 till date Institute has been headed by about 22 Directors.
Pushker Nath Pandita the first one and In between the present
Director Shri B.M.Sharma 20 figure in the list.
All belonged to
Indian Forest Service. Barring last two in the list present one and his
predecessor has just months sting. As such fairness calls not to club
them with others. Dismal deliverance of the Apex Institute put this
Service in pale colors. Cursory view of the Directors make observers
wonder. Why they failed to deliver .Because from one to 22 all
have been finest officers with unmatched acumen.
And out of 22 Directors
18 are from the state with rural background. Even entire career
served in the state from one corner to the other. Knew what forest
looked like what commoner wants or drives from forest. Above all
measure to be taken for sustainability. Strangely it was outside PCKappor
in his every pore has been concern for the forest and born rebellion.
who stressed to create about 34-43 posts of the scientist to
make it an compatible Research Institution.
He was summarily shown the
door. Dr CM Seth during his tenure in 2007-08 did extensive tours of
far flung area where rare fauna still existed like Gurez and other areas
.He had an idea to make the state an another Jadi Buti state on the
pattern of the Uttrakhand which has declared the state a Jadi Buti Pranat.
Suresh Gupta brought on the very onset after assuming the charge
in to the notice of Choudary Lal Singh the need to create fill the
post of the scientists a prerequisite for research and was in agreement.
But again history repeated.
Now B.M. Sharma the present incumbent
may deliver subjected to making available bare minimum scientist
. And all IFS cadre which are united for furtherance of their
own interests Hold regular meetings to safe guard their cadre .Kept
aloof for this cause.
Every Director were in agreement to the action
plan envisaged which has covered every aspect of environment issues
under Sky. Without giving a thought for a minute can it be delivered
.Memorandums of activities such as Objective , Vision, Mission,
Mandate, Business Transaction, Services Provided and Research Priorities.
Were of a tall order.
Surmountable but San zeal proved a far
cry. It seem it was under the doctrine after me the deluge. Research
Priorities.To start with it drew an action plan as to conduct advance
studies and research in forestry, wood science, biodiversity conservation,
technology transfer and forest environment and ecology including
flora and fauna.
Conduct research on aspects of forestry related
issues, concerns and opportunities. Provide technical assistance
to sister departments of forests department as well as other
organizations/NGOs or on subjects related to forests. Recommend afforestation
techniques, know how of raising plant species, provide quality
seed and planting materials would become a premier institute for
research in the field of plants in coming years.
With special emphasis
on Quality seed and plant production. Research & field trials for
provenances and clones. Establishment, maintenance of preservation plots
& sample plots for research studies. Establishment of Seed Production
Areas, Seed Orchards & Clonal Orchards for planting material
& quality seed production.
Documentation of bio-diversity resources
in different bio-geographic zones. For prioritizing the forestry
research activities of the state, has finalized the research problems
and research themes, associating the officers of all levels of
forest department, including senior retired officers in June 1998.
Some
important research problems of the state, as shortlisted in order of
priority, are given as: Natural regeneration of Fir, Deodar, Chir, Kail,
Taxus, Oak, Khair etc. Eco-restoration of degraded forests. Biodiversity
assessment, conservation & utilization. Planting stock improvement
of Chir, Deodar, Sissoo, Fir, Khair, Harar and other important
species. Seed collection, storage and testing of important species.
Development of agro-forestry/social forestry models. Management
of grazing (including grassland management). Nursery techniques
of important species including Non- Wood Forest Products (NWFP).
Soil and water conservation (including integrated watershed management).
Human resource management problems of forest department. Institute
has about 23 Nurseries for conducting Research and Seed Development
in entire state covering an area of about as said 45 Hatts.
Kashmir
Division 10 nurseries and Jammu Division has 12Some are under Research
Forest Division .And some under Seed Development Division. Covering
a cumulative area of about 45 Hatts. Ranging as little as 2.5 Kanal
to plus 20 Hetts.
One out of it is said to be carrying activities
with BGSB University Rajouri. Ladakh Division which is the largest
area and Gurez has remained unexplored and untapped though it carries
one of the richer flora and fauna. May add To be fair like to add
B.M.Sharma has done very commendable job during his tenure as DFO Leh
decades back.
Bushan Parimoo
(The writer is a Jammu based environmentalist and a regular contributor to this Website.)
(Feedback at: blparimoo@gmail.com)
