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Journalism of Courage
CHANDIGARH, April 20: A two-day regional workshop on Afforestation and Improved Moisture Regimes got under way at Yatri Niwas here today. The workshop was jointly organised by the Haryana Forest Department and Agricultural Finance Corporation AFC Ltd, New Delhi.
Inaugurating the meeting, Haryana Forests Minister, Jagdish Yadav, expressed concern over the increasing imbalances in the basic resources and pointed out Haryana8217;s situation which combines both water-logging and falling water-table. As many as 6 lakh tubewells are operational in the sweet water zone.
Meanwhile, in salt-affected and water-logged areas of the state, the water-table is rising on account of faulty irrigation practices and poor drainage. The minister sought immediate land reclamation through appropriate forestry interventions. He released two publications on the occasion, both published by the Regional Centre-NAEB, AFC Ltd, Delhi.
In his keynote address, National Institute of Hydrology Director, Dr S.M. Seth, stressed the crucial role played by forests and vegetation in development. He elaborated that natural resources management must be appropriate to the environment, benefit society and be economically viable.
Simplicity, ease and affordability were the watchwords for Haryana Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Banarsi Dass, who emphasised the need to draw on local knowledge and experience for improvement of moisture regimes. Other distinguished participants at the workshop included Haryana Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests R.S. Hooda, senior officers of AFC and senior officers of the Forest Departments of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and UP and NGOs from various organisations.
Tomorrow8217;s sessions will include technical sessions and case-studies.
