Introduction

Extension Division focuses on extension activities aimed at promoting sustainable forest management, conservation and livelihood improvement. The Extension Division specifically works on the dissemination of forestry-related knowledge and technologies developed by the institute to local communities, stakeholders, frontline field staff of forest departments, other stakeholders, etc. Overall, the Extension activities play a crucial role in bridging the gap between research and practical applications for the betterment of Himalayan forests and communities dependent on forests.

Mandate

Development of effective and innovative/ extension methodologies, strategies and extension materials for dissemination of research findings and technology packages of the Institute/ Council to stakeholders.

Lab to land extension of research findings and technologies through Van Vigyan Kedras, Demo-Villages and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, trainings, workshop, awareness programmes, radio and television talk shows, melas, exhibitions, museums, etc.

Support to other research divisions in technology transfers, Memorandum of Understandings, marketing of technologies, and other Intellectual Property Rights related issues. etc.

Promotion and facilitation of partnerships, networking and collaboration with other institutions, industry and organizations, developing human resource through training and capacity building programmes.

Vision

Bridging the gap between research and practical applications for the betterment of Himalayan forests and communities dependent on forests.

Priority Areas

Focus Areas

Challenges and Gap areas

Need space and infrastructure upgradation in Van Vigyan Kendras and TDC.

Need to strengthen Van Vigyan Kendras by equipping them i.e. constructing training hall, providing PC, digital displays and internet facilities

Major Equipments

Major Achievements

ICFRE- HFRI Shimla has Established 04 Van Vigyan Kendras viz. Jagatsukh, Manali, HP, Longani- Dharampur Mandi, HP, Janipur, Jammu and FRS-Nagbani, Jammu, J&K and VVK Cum Cold Desert FRS, Leh, J&K and one Demo Village and Badagoan Shimla to demonstrate the extension of research by the Institute and aware people about the forestry research.

Establishment of New VVK: ICFRE-HFRI has established a new VVK at Longani, Dharampur, Mandi. With objective to promote forestry research, conservation practices, and community engagement in the region. After careful assessment, a 4.83 ha area in Longni near Dharampur, Mandi, was selected for establishing a demonstration nursery of new VVK. The nearby old rest house building of HPSFD at Longani was selected and renovated for the VVK office. Two key Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs) were signed between the ICFRE-HFRI, Shimla, and the HPSFD. The first, signed on 11th June 2020, focused on the maintenance of VVK and nursery. The second, MoU signed on 12th February, 2021, facilitated the establishment of a new VVK and Demonstration Nursery at Longni Dharampu

Establishment of Demo Village: The institute has established Demo Village at Badagaon Shimla to demonstrate and showcase the technologies of the institute. Nursery has been developed at Badgaon to raise the fodder species and demonstration plot of medicinal plants. Besides, a demonstration plot of fodder species has been established near Badagon village.

Establishment of Technology Demonstration Centre (TDC): To demonstrate and showcase the technologies and products developed by the institute, a TDC in the area of 1000sq. meter has been established in the institute premises. During last three and half years, about 1576 visitors, including students, teachers, forest range officers, trainees, and delegates visited the TDC and were sensitized through lectures and informal discussions, which focused technologies and products developed by the institute .

Organization of Tree Grower Melas / Kisan Melas: The institute has organized 04 Tree Grower Mela/Kisan Mela to showcase forestry technologies and promote sustainable agriculture practices during last five years. These events facilitated farmer-scientist interactions and enhanced awareness about forestry technologies among 690 villagers and other stakeholders.

Trainings Imparted: Extension division of the institute has organized 30 number of training programme during last five years on different aspects of forestry and imparted training to 1182 people including progressive farmers, frontline staff of the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Department (HPSFD), Ladakh Forest Department, and Jammu Forest Department, members of Mahila Mandal, youth clubs, government teachers, NGO’s and students.

Celebration of days and Events: The institute celebrated various days of international and national significance, emphasizing environmental awareness and conservation. These events provide a platform for experts, researchers, and the community to engage in discussions, and share knowledge and also create awareness among local communities and students

Participation in Exhibitions: ICFRE-HFRI, Shimla, participated and showcased its research and development activities during 04 exhibitions during last five years organized by different organizations and agencies. ICFRE- HFRI Shimla received “Outstanding Participation Award’ in the गतिशील जम्मू एवम कश्मीर : आत्मनिर्भर भारत की ओर organized by Prayas Event on 1st - 3rd March, 2024 at Country Inn, Gandhinagar, Jammu, J&K, UT.

Extension Material: ICFRE-HFRI, Shimla has developed about 24000 numbers of publications of 44 different forestry species mainly in Hindi and some in English literature covering general information, cultivation and conservation of the species, disease management, etc. and developed extension material of the institute.

Development of Documentaries: ICFRE-HFRI, Shimla has developed 07 video documentaries covering research and extension activities of the institute, bamboos of Himalaya, cultivation of medicinal plants, cold deserts of north western trans-Himalayan region, products developed by the institute, and development and release of 05 medicinal plants varieties of 03 important high temperate medicinal plants of the region.

Development and Release of Medicinal Plant Varieties Superior genetic stock of these species were identified & selected by screening geographical locations of HP and Ladakh. Established and maintained the Field Gene Bank (FGB) at FRS, Jagatsukh near Manali, H.P. Through multi-location trials superior geonotypes were established and cultivars of these species were selected based on high yield and total Picroside content (%), Valeopotriates content (%) and Podophyllotoxin content (%) in Picrorhiza kurroa (Kadu), Valeraina. jatamansi (Nihani/Mushkbala) and Podophullum hexandrum (Vankakdi), respectively and stability under different environmental conditions in the high hills of Himalaya were tested. Five new varieties of 03 medicinal plants viz. P. kurroa (02 i.e. HFRI-PK-1 and HFRI-PK-2); V. jatamansi (02 i.e. HFRI-VJ-1 and HFRI-VJ-1) and P. hexandrum (01 i.e. HFRI-SH-1) have been developed by ICFRE-HFRI, Shimla and released by Variety Releasing Committee (VRC) of ICFRE, Dehradun in September, 2023. These varieties exhibits stable rhizome yield and high total Picroside, Valeopotriates, Podophyllotoxin contents in Kadu, Nihani and Vankakdi, respectively and stability under different environmental conditions in temperate region of Himalaya.

Western Himalayan Temperate Arboretum (WHTA): WHTA at Potter Hill, Shimla is being developed by ICFRE-HFRI, Shimla with objective of Ex-situ conservation, maintenance, and multiplication of Red-Listed & economically important tree species, establishment of an Orchidarium/Fern House/ Bambusetum and a Medicinal plants nursery to showcase the threatened flora of the region, Landscaping of the arboretum and Promoting environmental education & public awareness on plant diversity, threatened and endemic species of the NW Himalayan region. RET and economically important taxa of native arboreal flora of the North West Himalayan region have been conserved at the Arboretum. 145 tree species, collected from various parts from the NW Himalayan region, have been planted in the arboretum in the form of distinct sections viz. the Gymnosperm section, Acer Block, Rosaceae Block, Walnut Block, Rhododendron Block, Oak Block, etc. Nursery for germplasm propagation of LKTs has also been established. Established exclusive nursery for showcasing the rare Ashtavarga Group of medicinal plants.

Projects

Nursery /VVKs

VVK Jagatsukh, (Kullu, HP) and VVK Longani Dharmpur (Mandi, HP).VVK Janipur, (Jammu, J&K UT), VVK Badami Bag , (Leh Ladakh, UT)

People

Contact

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Raj Kumar Verma

Scientist-G & Head of Forest Ecology and Climate Change Division

ICFRE- Himalayan Forest Research Institute, Shimla 171013

vermaraj@icfre.org

0177-2816102

94181-89326