Hundreds of experts, scientists and officials from the commonwealth nations are slated to attend the 19th Commonwealth Forestry Conference (CFC) slated to be held at the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun from April 3 to 7. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Anil Madhav Dave will inaugurate the programme on the second day of which the global forestry conclave will also be held in the institute, said the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) director general Shashi Kumar.
Addressing the media at the institute on Wednesday, the ICFRE DG, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India and Commonwealth Forestry Association is organising the 19th CFC at FRI on the selected theme of forests for prosperity and posterity. Policy and decision makers, subject matter specialists, academicians, forest managers and representatives of the industry sector and NGOs will be participating during the twenty-four technical sessions planned during the conference. About 600 academicians, forest practitioners, scientists, experts, representatives of international conservation and agencies across the world will be participating and presenting scientific papers during the technical sessions. Heads of prominent international forestry research organisations such as Center for International Forestry Research (CIFR), International Union of Forest Research Organisations (IUFRO)), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation will also be participating.
The aim of this CFC is to strengthen forest research and capacity building in participating commonwealth nations in forestry research, management and also to build strategies to develop climate change mitigation and adaptation capacity.
FRI director Savita said that the plenary and technical sessions are designed to discuss issues and challenges under six sub-themes. With 475 delegates already having registered for the 19th CFC, the conference is expected to be attended by more than 600 delegates from about 40 commonwealth countries, she added.