STATE TIMES NEWS RAJOURI: Department of Zoology, Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University Rajouri organized a webinar on “India towards Sweet Revolution” to celebrate “Azadi ka Amrut Mohatsav” through virtual mode under National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. Students, Scholars, other participants and Faculty members joined the programme and listened to the experts to gain the knowledge and skill about scientific Beekeeping. Prof. Akbar Masood, Vice Chancellor of the University congratulated the Department of Zoology for organizing the webinar on India’s 75 years independence. In his message he stressed upon conserving the small creatures (bees) for maintaining the ecological balance. He praised the Department for training the local farmers and engaging them in bee farming. Er. Kireet Kumar, Director, GBP-NIHE and Nodal Officer, National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS), MoEF, was the chief guest of the webinar. While talking, he urged upon the participants to understand the benefits of beekeeping so that the beekeepers not only take part in the conservation of ecosystem but also to generate the economy for their livelihood. He informed about the future scope of Beekeeping in India and how to increase the employment generation through Scientific Beekeeping. While speaking on the occasion, Prof. Iqbal Parwez emphasized the importance of Beekeeping and the role of bees in pollinating the crops. He stressed upon the participants to spread the knowledge of beekeeping among common masses so that the Dream of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” may be fulfilled. He informed how National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) aims to achieve the goal of “Sweet Revolution” as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan for which Govt of India has allocated ?500 crore for three years for the development of Scientific Beekeeping in the country under the umbrella of National Bee Board, New Delhi. The expert lecture was given by Prof. D. P. Abrol, Former Dean Faculty of Agriculture, SKUAST-Jammu. He gave a detailed lecture on scientific beekeeping and highlighted some hurdles in this industry and their simple solutions. While talking, he stressed upon the tremendous scope for increasing productivity due to cross pollination and increase in income through Apiculture. He briefed the audience about the role of bees in correcting the Pollination Syndrome and mismatch in pollination which are the very important issues in recent years . Dr. Sajad Hussain Parey, Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology and the Convener of webinar threw light on the scientific Beekeeping so that the framers and landless laborers get motivated towards the Integrated Farming System (IFS) thereby stepping towards “AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT”. He informed audience about the scope of huge honey production in district Rajouri & how the University has trained local people for Beekeeping. Some seventy Bee colonies have been distributed among local populace after proper training within the University. The vote of thanks were provided him Dr. M.A.Hannan Khan.
