Training course for 180 forest guards started

The “Green Punjab” mission aims to augment the state’s forest cover from 7 to 15 per cent,he added. Saying that Punjab Agricultural University is organising this training course for forest guards for the first time,Dr Luna exhorted the participants to make the best use of this opportunity as it would help in their future service as well as in shaping their personality as forest officers.

Addressing the participants,Director of Extension Education Dr M S Gill said that Punjab state is deficit in forest cover. The abrupt climate change and increasing pollution levels are posing a serious threat to the environment,he observed,emphasising that forestry can play a key role in revitalising the eco-system.

There is a need to enhance the forest area at the state,national and international level,he stressed. As PAU is a temple of learning in terms of agriculture and its allied fields,the training programme will refresh the knowledge of the forest guards and equip them to handle their task efficiently and scientifically,added Gill.

Dr Avtar Singh,Head of F&NR,welcomed the participants. He said that the programme would whet the skills of the forest guards and enhance their prospects. He presented a brief overview of the technology developed at PAU for forestry plants.

“Many training programmes have been taking place on various aspects of agriculture be it bee-keeping,horticulture,farm machinery,home science,etc. But for the first time forestry programmes are being organised,” he remarked. Forest guards have a bigger role to play in future.

Dr RIS Gill,PAU scientist of sgro-forestry,said that a syllabus has been formulated and that the trainees would be educated on the latest techniques and technologies in forestry.