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Media persons with the scientists and research team, forest officers at AFRI, Jodhpur on September 25. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Jodhpur | September 25
Scientists from Jodhpur said the rich and abundant forest areas in Northeast are being destroyed owing to jhum and shifting cultivation.
They are of the view that due to the vast stretch of forest areas that northeast has been blessed with, perhaps the people of the region take it for granted towards preserving the rich flora and fauna.
This was stated during an interaction with the visiting media team from Nagaland at the Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) (Indian Council of Forestry & Research), New Pali Road, Jodhpur on September 25.
Highlighting their achievements towards managing forests, genetic resource management and trees improvement, the scientists also mentioned the various challenges and problems as tough climatic conditions, extreme shortage of water etc.
They said that they have been able to stop the spreading of sand dunes and increase plantations in large areas of land, which otherwise is affecting people, the economy and ecology in day-to-day lives.
And today, Rajasthan is one of the largest producers of groundnuts in the country, it was informed.
While there are diversified species of trees, it was told that about 15-20 trees have been identified which have economic values to the people of the region.
AFRI is a research institute which conducts scientific research in forest in order to provide technologies to increase the vegetative cover and to conserve the biodiversity in the hot arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It operates under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) of the ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India.
The thrust areas of the institute is to manage forests and forests products for livelihood support and economic growth, biodiversity conservation and ecological security, forests and Climate Change and forest genetic resource management and tree Improvement.
Besides, the institute also imparts forestry education and policy research to meet emerging challenges and forestry extension for taking research to people.
