Shimla: As part of the month-long Tree Plantation and Environment Protection Drive, the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri(Hamirpur), a constituent college of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni, organised a one-day training programme on ‘Implementation of Tree Plantation Activities and Environment Protection’ at Eco Village Bhaleta Kalan in Hamirpur district.
The programme was organised in association with the Department of Environment, Science and Technology, Shimla, under the Eco Village Scheme of the Government of Himachal Pradesh. The College has been implementing a research project on ‘Promotion of Climate Resilient Horticultural and Forestry Technologies’ in Eco Village Bhaleta since 2024.
The training programme formed part of the statewide plantation and environmental awareness campaign being conducted from July 1 to 31 in coordination with the District Legal Services Authority, Hamirpur. Around 75 farmers from Eco Village Bhaleta participated in the programme. Addressing the gathering, Sumit Thakur, Environment Officer, Department of Environment, Science and Technology, highlighted various initiatives being implemented by the State Government under the Model Eco Village Scheme.
Dr Dushyant Sharma, Principal Investigator of the project, informed the participants about climate-resilient horticultural and forestry technologies being promoted by the College. He also emphasized the environmental and economic significance of tree plantation and encouraged farmers to adopt suitable tree species for sustainable livelihoods.
During the programme, nearly 530 quality seedlings of Tooni, Mahogany, Drumstick, Mausmi, Guava, Neem and Malabar Neem, raised by the College, were distributed among participating farmers and planted in their fields. Farmers were also trained in scientific plantation and management practices for both fruit and forest tree species to ensure better survival and growth.
Reena Devi, Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Neri, appreciated the efforts of the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri and the Department of Environment, Science and Technology for organising the awareness programme and plantation drive. She thanked them for their continued support towards environmental conservation and sustainable rural development.
