By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 10 Dec: The Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICARIISWC) and Sparsh Himalaya, Dehradun signed an MoU today, to execute inter-organizational collaborative engagements to promote Himalayan ecosystems, people, and resources. Dr M Madhu, Director, ICAR-IISWC signed the MoU document on behalf of the Institute in presence of Dr. M Muruganandam, Principal Scientist and OIC (Research Prioritization, Monitoring and Evaluation Cell), ICAR-IISWC. Seema Sharma, from Sparsh Himalaya, signed the MOU in presence of Pradeep Dutta from the Organization. Dr Madhu informed that the MoU aimed to stimulate and facilitate collaboration and promote mutually-interested common programs that can help advance the interests of the Himalayan ecosystems and related intellectual life and cultural development. National and international level collaborative programs and engagements for enhanced outreach, and awareness on technological outcomes and success stories would be aimed through this MoU. The potential areas of collaboration include research, training, capacity building, experience sharing, and knowledge management in the domain of rural development and natural resource-based sustainable livelihood promotion. Immediately, both organizations are developing a joint plan for a national conference in January 2022 on the technological contributions and success stories of the research and development organizations working on the welfare of the Himalayas. The ICAR-IISWC was established in 1950s at Dehradun with the national mandate of research, training, and demonstration on soil-water conservation, watershed development, natural resource management, etc., addressing problems of resource conservation and livelihoods so as to promote the interests of resource sustainability, environmental protection, and socio-economic development. The Institute has 8 other Regional Centers across the country at Agra, Bellary, Chandigarh, Datia, Koraput, Kota, Udhagamandalam, and Vasad to address research, and outreach problems of soil and water conservation and resources management. Seema Sharma informed that Sparsh Himalaya, an NGO established under the aegis of the supplementary trust deed of Param Himalaya Nidhi Nayas promotes local socio-cultural, economic, and environmental wellbeing across the Himalayan states. The technological and success stories including short films, videos, and technological exhibits and depictions generated by the ICAR-IISWC will be aired through the Channel of Sparsh Himalaya for wider reach and mass awareness on useful and evidence-based information to the diverse target groups and stakeholders. Joining hands with a national institute on natural resource management, ICARIISWC with Sparsh Himalayas hopes to bring out useful and effective collaborations for the betterment of the Himalayan regions. Dr Muruganandam informed that the MoU would provide the required impetus for the much acclaimed and majestic Himalayas.
