ICFRE-Forest Research Institute, Dehradun organized 30th Research Advisory Group meeting

The Forest Research Institute (FRI) organized the 30th Research Advisory Group (RAG) Meeting on 19^th September,2024. The Research Advisory Group meets every year with the aim of discussing and assessing the new research project proposals. Like every year, this year the meeting commenced with the inaugural address delivered by Dr. Renu Singh, Director, FRI and Chairperson of RAG. Dr. N.K. Upreti, GCR, ICFRE-FRI presented the agenda of the RAG meeting. He briefed the RAG members on the four thrust areas under which research activities of the institute are being undertaken.

The RAG meeting was attended by representatives from the State Forest Departments of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Punjab, Delhi & Haryana, subject experts, senior scientists, HODs of all the divisions of FRI, farmers, NGOs and various other stakeholders through physical and virtual mode. 25 new projects based on various themes related to forestry, biodiversity conservation and ecological security and climate change were discussed and deliberated on. This year the project proposals were mainly presented by young scientists and Dr. Renu and other experts encouraged them and gave their necessary inputs. A thorough discussion was held with all the PIs of proposed projects. The topic of discussion revolved around the theme of the effect of climate change on forest, biodiversity and ecosystem services, sustainable forest management practices, and developing new technologies for effectively utilizing the forest resources.

Eminent forest officials Sh. Jagdish Chander, Ms. Anuradha Vemori, Sh. K.C. Meena, Dr. Vijay Kumar, Sh. Satnam Singh, Mr. TC Nautiyal and Mr. Mukul Kumar graced the meeting with their presence. Among the scientists Dr. Manav Indra Singh Gill, Dr. G.S. Rawat, Dr. R.M Mathur, Dr. Siddharth S. Ray, Dr. Charan Singh, Shri Gajendra Singh and Sh. A. D. Dobhal were present. Other subject experts Dr. Suresh Kumar, Prof. Davinder Kaur Walia, Dr. Rakesh Chugh, Dr. Arun Kumar also attended the meeting and gave their inputs for improvement of research proposals,

The meeting ended with vote of the thanks proposed by Dr. Vikas Rana.