‘Forest Food Festival’ held at Yusmarg
Budgam: With an aim of creating awareness about forest biodiversity and finding potential edible value of forest herbs and vegetables, J&K State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) in association with Center for Conservation of Culture Heritage (CCCH) Monday organised a one day ‘Forest Food Festival-cum Bio Diversity workshop at Yusmarg in central Kashmir’s Budgam district
Speaking on the occasion, Director State Forest Research Institute (SFRI) O P Sharma said that there was an utmost need to conserve forest biodiversity in J&K which is under serious threat.
He gave a detailed presentation on national Biodiversity Act wherein local Panchayats are empowered to stop illegal smuggling of medicinal and other non-forest timber produce (NTFP) from the forests.
Sharma, who inaugurated the forest food festival at Yusmarg, said such programmes were need of the hour to create mass awareness among communities living near forests.
Renowned Chef, Mohammad Yasin Reshi of Institute of Hotel Management Srinagar prepared as many as 10 dishes of various forest herbs which included dishes prepared from Pamb Haakh , Obej , Lai Gassa, Panz Unggee etc.
Reshi also prepared Halwa from wild corn flour which was served as a dessert.
Director SFRI lauded the role of volunteers of RTI Movement and CCCH especially Dr Raja Muzaffar , Chef Yasin, Mehrajudin Andrabi and Abdul Rahman for coordinating the whole event.
Director Finance Health & Medical Education, Mohammad Rafiq , Trustee of Center for Conservation of Culture and Heritage (CCCH), Dr Mushtaq Khan, Syed Nasrullah, Chairman JK Peoples Forum , social activist Dr Raja Muzaffar and Lecturer Javid Ahmad also spoke on the occasion.
A large number of forest officers including DFO Seeds division SFRI Munshi Iqbal, Range Officer Dr Arshad , local residents of Yusmarg and adjoining villages and students and teachers of Government Higher Secondary School Pakherpora also participated in the programme.
Pertinently, in past also O P Sharma during his tenure as Director Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing along with members of CCCH has organised several low cost forest food festivals.
Sharma said such activities will be organised in other places of state so that more and more people are reached out during this campaign.
Organisers of the event SFRI and CCCH thanked Chief Engineer Irrigation & Flood Control and Executive Engineer Irrigation Budgam for providing logistical support to hold the event.
KV News
