Experts for paradigm shift in forest mgmt

Dehradun, January 18

Experts focused on need for a paradigm shift in forest management at an International Symposium on Transforming Mountain Forestry that began at the Forest Research Institute here today.

Inaugurating the symposium, Dr David Molden, Director General, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), stressed on the need for a paradigm shift in managing forests. “A third generation of forest management is imperative, given the changing nature of both the mountain societies and ecosystems,” said Dr Molden.

Calling upon ICIMOD member countries in the region to come together to create an interactive knowledge platform as a regional forestry community, Dr Molden stressed on the need for trans-boundary cooperation to raise voice on forest issues.

Earlier, Dr PP Bhojvaid, Director, Forest Research Institute, welcomed 250 delegates drawn from 16 different countries, who include ministers, parliamentarians, conservation scientists, forest officials, development practitioners and policy-makers. Dr Bhojvaid said the Himalayas are an ‘institution’ and we need to reinvent our relationship with them for our survival.

Dr Rajan Kotru, Regional Programme Manager, Trans-boundary Landscapes at ICIMOD, elaborated on the focus and design of the symposium that aims to discuss emerging challenges in mountain forestry in the light of the emerging threats of climate change to suggest possible management options, applied science focus and policies in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.

Video message of Prakash Javdekar, Union Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change was also screened at the symposium venue. The Union Minister said it was a first-of-its kind symposium on a subject of vital interest in the region and he looked forward to the outcomes and recommendations emerging from the deliberations.

The symposium is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, India, Forest Research Institute, India and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development. — TNS