Ludhiana: Forest experts visit PAU for accreditation of courses

Two forest experts, including P Thapliyal, former principal chief conservator of forests, Himachal Pradesh, and Kamal Preet, assistant director general (education), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, visited the department of forestry and natural resources, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for the accreditation of forestry courses. Currently, the department is offering undergraduate basic forestry and elective and masters degree courses.

Earlier, ICFRE accredited the forestry courses for three years (from 2011-2014). The team interacted with HS Dhaliwal, dean, College of Agriculture, and JS Dhiman, additional director of research (natural resource and plant health management). Experts visited the experimental areas in Ludhiana and Ladhowal.

The team appreciated the research work being conducted in the field of tree improvement, agro-forestry and silviculture (the practice of controlling the establishment, growth, health and quality of forests to meet diverse needs and values.

Experiential learning programme, in which the students raise poplar nursery, and share the income earned from the sale of nursery, was appreciated by the ICFRE experts. This is a programme where students get hand on experience in different practices of forestry and at the same time earn profit after selling their produce.

Earlier, the team was apprised of the ongoing activities in the department through power-point presentation, exhibition of salient research achievements and interaction with the faculty. The team also interacted with the postgraduate students and inspected all teaching and research facilities in the department and college.