Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 28: The Department of Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing (DEERS), J&K, in collaboration with the Department of Botany, University of Jammu, organized one day workshop today on ‘Field Taxonomy’ at Forest Information Centre, Jammu to mark the celebrations of the festival of forests-Van Mahotsava as well as World Nature Conservation Day.
In the workshop, series of lectures were presented by the Field Taxonomy experts on various aspects of Plant identification and their utilization.
On the occasion, Prof Yash Pal Sharma, former HOD Botany, JU, was the chief guest while chief conservator of Forests, Jammu, Sameer Bharti, was the guest of honour and Director, DEERS, O P Sharma Vidyarthi, presided over the function.
The keynote speaker, Dr Bikarma Singh-Senior Scientist IIIM, Jammu, gave a historical background and the evolution of Plant Field taxonomy and Herbaria and their relevance in identifying the plants for human welfare. Highlighting the present scenario of Indian floral diversity, in general, and that of Jammu and Kashmir in particular, Dr Singh explained how aromatic plants have revolutionized the economy and the life of many marginalized people in Jammu and Kashmir. He also stressed the need for scientific intervention for the conservation of medicinal plants.
In his address, Prof Yash Pal Sharma said that the workshop would help the Forest Department and various NGOs in the conservation of plants and strategizing the plantation drives.
Sameer Bharti hoped that such academic collaborations of the Forest Department will strengthen the resolve for better environment management, plant resource utilization and consequently better quality of life.
O P Sharma Vidyarthi, said that besides plantation drives, time has come that we bring more plant innovations and this workshop on Field taxonomy is a step forward in this direction.
Earlier, Saleem ul Haq, DFO, DEERS, Jammu, highlighted the objectives of the workshop. Proceedings were conducted by Dr Harpreet Bhatia.
On the occasion, Dr Geeta made her presentation on the Cucurbits of Jammu, Dr Sakshi talked abou the role of plants in herbal cosmetics and nutraceuticals. Dr Harish gave an overview of the techniques of plant systematics, Dr Harpreet Bhatia associated plants with food security, Dr Uma Bharti talked about the breeding and popularization of medicinal ‘Seski’ (Artemisia species) while Madhu Raina made an informative presentation on the members of the trumpet flower family ‘Bignoniaceae of Jammu and its significance’.
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