Shimla: A state-of-the-art Biochar Research and Training Facility that aims to minimise forest fire hazards through scientific utilisation of biomass was inaugurated at the College of Horticulture and Forestry in Neri, a constituent college of Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF) in Himachal Pradesh’s Nauni, officials said on Sunday.
The facility marks a significant step in Himachal Pradesh towards sustainable biomass management, climate change mitigation, and strengthening research on carbon sequestration and soil health.
The facility has been established under a tripartite memorandum of agreement signed among the university, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and by Chennai-based ProClime Services.
The initiative aims to address forest fire hazards through scientific utilisation of forest biomass while promoting environmental conservation, sustainable livelihoods and community awareness.
The biochar production unit has a processing capacity of 1.5 tons per day.
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced from biomass under controlled conditions and has emerged as an important tool for improving soil fertility, enhancing water retention, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and generating carbon credits.
The Neri facility will utilise locally available biomass, including pine needles, lantana, bamboo, and other woody residues, converting them into biochar for agricultural and horticultural applications.
Besides, reducing the risk of forest fires through productive biomass utilisation, the facility will provide valuable opportunities for research, skill development and hands-on training for students in the emerging field of biochar technology and carbon sequestration.
The project is also expected to create livelihood opportunities for local communities through sustainable biomass collection and processing while strengthening the university’s research on climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management.
Under the agreement, the Forest Department will facilitate sustainable biomass collection through community participation, provide the necessary permissions and concessions, and ensure compliance with forest and environmental regulations.
The university will provide land for the facility at Neri, support the required statutory approvals, and undertake research on the application of biochar in agriculture, horticulture, and soil health improvement.
The installation of the Biochar Research and Training Facility represents a significant milestone in bringing practical carbon-offset technologies to academic institutions and rural landscapes in Himachal Pradesh.
(IANS)
