Detrimental effect of global warming: Core point at FRI meet

Among other issues, the detrimental effect of global warming would be discussed by the experts during the Summit on Climate Resilient Mountain Agriculture to be held at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun from May 2 to 4. The summit would be organised by the water shed department of the State Government.

Informing about the summit, the Tourism, Culture and Watershed minister Satpal Maharaj said that climate change is a big challenge before the mankind and its ill effects are being felt in all parts of the world. He said that the emission of green house gases is one the chief reason behind global warming. The Minister said that geo morphology and ecology of the mountainous areas of Uttarakhand is very sensitive for the climate change. He added that the agriculture sector is bearing the maximum brunt of the climate change and brainstorming on various aspects of this phenomenon would be held during the summit. It must be written here that global warming has become one of the most serious and challenging issues for the international community in the recent years and the need of the hour is to check it. The Minister further informed that 30 scientists, research scholars, experts of relevant fields and fifty progressive farmers would participate in the three day summit which would be inaugurated by the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.

The Governor of Uttarakhand Krishan Kant Paul would preside over the valedictory ceremony on May 4. Maharaj said that the state government is planning to install ‘Di -Polar Antennas’ at some places to give early warning about incidents of cloud burst. He informed that the events like Ginger and Garlic festivals would be held to promote production and marketing of these products. 

The principal secretary Manisha Panwar said that discussion on agro forestry and mountain agriculture would be held in plenary session on the inaugural day. On the day, representatives of 524 village Panchayats would share their experiences with the experts. She informed that on second day, discussions on ways to double the income of the farmers would be held. On last day of the summit technical session on water availability and storage and marketing of the agriculture produce in the mountainous areas of the discussed.

Additional Director of  Watershed, Neena Grewal said the summit assumes significance as 78 per cent of the population of the state is depended on agriculture and the sector constitutes 23 per cent of the GDP of the state. The director of FRI, Savita said the institute is working on agro forestry as a tool to augment the income of the farmers.