ICFRE - Himalayan Forest Research Institute

Extension Division HFRI –Shimla

 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, radio and television talk shows, melas, exhibitions, museums, etc.  
•  Support to other research divisions in filing of Patents, technology transfers, Memorandum of Understandings, maintenance and legal issues of Intellectual Property Rights, marketing of technologies and other Intellectual Property Rights related issues.  
•  Promotion and facilitation of partnerships, networking and collaboration with other institutions, industry and organizations, developing human resource through training and capacity building programmes. 

Thrust Areas:

• To develop appropriate extension strategies for dissemination of research findings to target groups.
• Awareness generation and transfer of technologies to the stakeholders through trainings, exhibitions, demonstrations and Kisan Mela etc.
• Networking and linkages with Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) for wider dissemination of research findings.
• Single window delivery system of technologies and information through Van Vigyan Kendras (VVKs) established in the different agroclimatic zones in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
• Celebration of important environment related days and events for awareness generation and sensitization.

 Extension Activities: Following activities are performed by Extension Division 

      Jagatsukh, Manali, HP

      Janipur, Jammu and FRS-Nagbani, Jammu, J&K

      Cold Desert FRS- cum-VVK , Leh, J&K

      Longani- Dharampur Mandi, HP

•     Demo Village - Baragaon, Shimla, H.P. 

•        Kisan Melas: Division organizes Kisan Melas 
  • Trainings: Trainings on different forestry activities are organized to various stakeholders. 
  • Important Days/Events/ Visit
  • Exhibitions
  • Extension Materials published under VVK

 Special Awards/ Appreciation of work, etc.

• Organized and established the Exhibition Stall, displaying Institute’s activities in ‘Kisan Mela’ hosted by Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla at Kufri on dated 15^th June 2006. Awarded with the Second Best Exhibition Stall Prize in Kisan Mela amongst 22 participating government departments/ PSU’s/ NGO’s. 
• Awarded FIRST PRIZE for “BEST STALL DISPLAY” in the Mega Exhibition “Destination Himachal Pradesh – 2017” organized by M/s Friendz Exhibitions & Promotion Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi from 24^th to 26^th October 2017 held at Hotel Paragon Palace, Solan (Himachal Pradesh).

Projects Completed

      A.  Plan Projects:

1. Survey and mapping of Ashtvarga groups of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (MAP’s) in Himachal Pradesh. PI: Dr. Vaneet Jishtu (April, 2012 - March, 2017). Introduction and performance trial of Paulownia species for agroforestry in different agro-climatic zones of Himachal Pradesh. PI: Sh. Jagdish Singh (April 2003 to March 2008)
2. Diagnostic Survey & appraisal of existing agroforestry systems in mid and high hills of Himachal Pradesh. PI: Sh. Jagdish Singh (April 2005 to March 2008)
3. Diagnostic Study of Indigenous and Institutionalized Participatory Forest Management in Himachal Pradesh. PI: Sh. K.D. Sharma and Sh. Jagdish Singh (April 2005 to March 2008).
4. Identification of superior chemotypes  and ex-situ conservation of Podophyllum hexandrum Royle from Himachal   Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir (Ladakh Valley). PI: Sh. Jagdish Singh (April, 2009 - March,  2014).  

B.  Externally Aided Projects

1 Development of suitable model for intercropping of commercially important medicinal plants with horticultural plantations in the temperate region of Himachal Pradesh. PI: Sh. Jagdish Singh,

  (April 2004  - March  2007)

2 Promotion of Medicinal Plants Cultivation among Rural Communities for Sustainable Income Generation. PI: Sh. K.D. Sharma, Sh. Jagdish Singh and Dr. V.P. Panwar (March 2006 to February 2007).

3 Network project on population assessment and identification of superior genetic stock of Picrorhiza  kurrooa Royle ex Benth and Valeriana jatamansi Jones by screening different populations from North-   Western Himalayas (H.P. and Uttarakhand). PI's: Sh. Jagdish Singh, Dr. K.S. Kapoor, Dr. Sandeep Sharma, Dr. Bikram Singh, Dr. A.R. Nautiyal, Dr. R.S. Chauhan (April, 2008 - March,  2013).

4 Centrally sponsored scheme of national mission on medicinal plants- Establishment of small nursery at Field Research Station (FRS) Brundhar, Jagatsukh Kullu (H.P.). PI: Sh. Jagdish Singh (April, 2014-   March, 2015). 

5 Ethno-botanical study on indigenous medicinal and aromatic plants used by local people of Chopal Forest Division, Shimla Forest Circle, Himachal Pradesh. PI: Sh. Jagdish Singh (July, 2015-      September,  2017). 

6 Programme support on elucidation of biosynthetic pathways and development of gene markers of high valued endangered medicinal herbs of NW Himalayas (Phase II) - Collaborative project with JUIT, Waknaghat. Co.PI: Jagdish Singh (October, 2015 to September, 2020).

7 Standardization of nursery and propagation methods of Trillium govanianum  Wall. ex. D. Don ( Nag- Chhatri). PI: Sh. Jagdish Singh (July, 2016 - June, 2019).

8 Evaluation of Genetic Superiority and Stability of Identified High Active Ingredient Content Accession of Picrorhiza kurroa  Royal Ex Benth., Valeriana Jatamansi Jones and Podophyllum Hexandrum Royal.

Consultancy/ Completed

Assessment of potentially and production of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants and development of plan for conservation, resource development and sustainable management of Medicinal& Aromatic Plants ( JICA) 10 October   to 10 August 2021, PI: Dr. Jagdish Singh.

Ongoing Projects
 A. Plan Projects:  

1. Sustainable management of NTFP’s through conservation and value addition     (AICRP-29)  PI: Dr. Jagdish Singh & Dr. Vaneet  Jisthu (February, 2020- October, 2025),
2. Domestication genetic characterization improvement and diversified    utilization of poplars (AICRP-25) 2019-2025 PI: Dr. Jagdish Singh.

Instrument and Equipments

• HPLC
• Reciprocating Shaker
• Sonicator

Training Programme since March, 2021 

• One Day Training programme was held on 9^th July, 2021 on “Forestry Interventions for productivity Enhancement” at National Research Institute for Sowa Rigpa (NRISR), Leh, Ladakh (UT).
• Two days Training programme (virtual) was held on 5^th-6^th October, 2021 for other stakeholders on “Cultivation of Important Medicinal Plants: An option for Enhancing the Income of Local Communities” at HFRI, Shimla.

Nursery in the Extension division 

Major Equipments in the Division: 
 1.    LED Projector

2.   Digital Camera

3.    Reciprocating Shaker

4.    HPLC

5.    Sonicator

Manpower:

For further information, please contact:

Dr. Jagdish Singh, Scientist F, Head of Extension Division

Email:   singhj@icfre.org

Phone:  0177-2816106,    Mob: 94180-71421