26 Sep : State Government would be extending all possible help to Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for setting up of High Altitude Biology Centre in Lahaul Valley to help farmers opt for cultivation of lilium as cash crop keeping in view the suitability of the farm soil in the valley.
This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, while addressing the dedication ceremony of the Regulatory Research facility laboratory completed at a cost of Rs. 9.8 crore to the nation, on the foundation day of CSIR at Palampur today.
Chief Minister said that the State Government would be requisitioning the services of the scientists to advise the state government as to whether carrying plantation in the cold desert of Spiti valley was ecologically safe and in the interest of nation. He said that with the change in climate globally, the cold desert areas were experiencing heavy rains which had never been there earlier. He said that agriculture sector had been responsible to engage over 80 percent of nation’s population, in the rural areas who were solely dependent upon the farm sector for their livelihood. He said the State Government was committed to strengthen the basic sectors of agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry. He said that with limited land holdings for farming practices and optimum utilization of the same was being ensured. He said that diversified farming of cash crops was being encouraged through poly houses being constructed by progressive farmers of the state under Pandit Deen Dayal Kisaan Baagwan Samridhi Yojna.
Prof. Dhumal said that the floricultursits of the State would be providing flowers worth Rs. 30 crore for different purposes during the ensuing Common Wealth Games in National capital at Delhi. He said that the State Government would be endeavouring to make Delhi and other metropolitans as permanent markets for selling the produce. He said that efforts would also be made to explore international markets for the farm produce from Himachal Pradesh. He said that there was vast scope for employment and self employment in the farm sector for the educated youth which would be possible with help of change in the mind set of the people. He said that through such ventures the unemployed youth could earn much more as compared to in service salaries.
Chief Minister, also released the Herbarium Catalogue of the Institute on the occasion. He honoured floriculturist Shri Ranjeet Singh of village Raakh with technical award of the institute and two science meritorious students, Shri Ashish Kumar and Shri Tsewang of Hamirpur and Lahaul Spiti for scoring 97 percent marks in science subjects in matriculate examination. He also honoured the retirees of the Institute, who had rendered 25 years of service in the Institute.
Chief Minister said that establishment year of the Institute was historically important when Quit India movement was launched in 1942 and at the same time CSIR was constituted.
Prof. Dhumal complimented the scientists of CSIR on Foundation Day and congratulated them for contributing significantly towards the innovations it had carried since its establishment 68 years ago.
Shri Ravinder Ravi, IPH Minister, complimented the CSIR for its outstanding contribution towards various innovations carried during past seven decades of service. He said that the Institute would be instrumental in coming out with more such innovations to bring laurels to the nation and the state as well.
Dr. B.L.Chopra, former Member of Planning Commission of India, said that CSIR, Palampur happened to be one of the well equipped institute in the world which had been excelling globally in operational and developmental level.
Dr.P.S.Ahuja, Director, Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur, welcomed the Chief Minister and said that the Institute was now 68 years old since it was formed in year 1942. He said that the Institute had been rendering yeoman service in various engineering and other spheres. He said that the Institute had been contributing significantly towards in DNA and other investigations. He said that close coordiantion was being made with various important departments and efforts were afoot to cater to the local needs by associating them in various activities of fundamental sciences of the Institute. He said that a High Altitude Biology Centre had been proposed to be set up in Lahaul Valley and sought help of the Chief Minister in opening the same. He said that cultivation of lilium was gaining popularity which could be conveniently cultivated in Lahaul Valley.
Smt. Sarveen chaudhary Social Justice & Empowerment Minister,Shri Virender Kanwar, CPS, Capt. Atma Ram, Shri Parveen Sharma, MLAs, Shri Trilok Kapoor, Chairman, WOOLFED, Dr. S.K.Sharma, Vice Chancellor, CSK University of Agriculture, and other scientists of the Institute and senior officers of the State Government were also present on the occasion.