Srinagar, Oct 29: A session on “Cricket Bat Willow cultivation in Kashmir : Prospectus and Entrepreneurship opportunities for wood based industries” was conducted at Faculty of Forestry, Benhama-Watlar, Ganderbal, SKUAST-K today.
According to a press note, Prof (Dr) J P Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-K was the chief guest and Mohit Gera (IFS), Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) the guest of honour.
Prof T H Masoodi, Dean Faculty of Forestry, welcomed the dignitaries and guests on the occasion. DrJavaid A Mugloo, Organizing Secretary appraised the audience and gave a brief introduction of the programme and highlighted the importance of cricket bat willow and encouraged the entrepreneurs to come forward and tape the potential of this industry. “If we can produce good quality cricket bats, it can fetch a good market value in the national and international markets,”hesaid . He further said that the gap between market supply and demand has to be minimized.
Mohit Gera (IFS) PCCF &HoFF, said,”We are having maximum plantations of willow in the valley but unfortunately we are not able to produce good quality cricket bats which can boost our economy.”
Prof. J.P. Sharma (HVC) hoped that J&K will be number one as far as agricultural production is concerned. “We have lot of potential in the shape of wood based industries and there would be no problem in the procuring of the best quality raw material. The climatic conditions are also good to support the growth of trees used in these industries,”he said.
Prof T H Masoodi (Dean, FoF) gave a detailed presentation which highlighted that there is almost no difference between English bat willow and Kashmiri bat willow but the cultivation method of Kashmiri bat willow is not carried out on scientific lines and cricket bats are not made from the actual cultivation of willows which is already available. He further said that this industry can become a best livelihood option for young entrepreneurs . “In Kashmir we are having 1400 sqkms under willow plantations and tentatively 37 million trees are growing in the region,”he said.
After this inaugural session there was brain storming session which was conducted by the DrAkhlaq Amin Wani, Sr Scientist of the Faculty with Dr. Mohit Gera as Chairman.
The programme was attended by Director Education, Prof. M.N.Khan, Director Extension, Prof. D.M.Makhdoomi, Director Research, Prof. Sarafaraz A Wani, Dean Horticulture, Prof S.A Wani, Controller Examinations, Prof K.N.Qaiser, ADR, Prof A.H.Mughal. Heads of the Divisions, Prof. S.A.Gangoo, Prof Aijazul Islam, DrG.M.Bhat, Dr Syed NaseemGeelani and DrKhursheed Ahmad. The Director Forest Research Institute, Dr Asif, Mehrajudin, Regional Director Social Forestry, Irfan (IFS), CF and various Dy. Conservators of the forest department attended the function. SajadNazir, Joint Director ,Department of Industties and commerce also attended the event.
The co organizing secretaries , Dr P.A.Sofi, DrAshfaq Mir and DrMegna Rashid and all other Scientific and administrative staff attended the event. The prominent Industrialists from wood based industry and our students participated in the programme
Director Planning and Monitoring Prof N AGanie in his vote of thanks said that Branding of the industry is very important in the present era and thanked all the dignitaries and organizers of the event. The event was anchored by Dr N A Pala, Scientist of the Faculty. The entire event was managed by Dr S NaseemGeelani, Senior Scientist and HoD in the Faculty.