Seventy first Foundation Day of Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), Dehradun celebrated today on 7th April 2024.

The Chief Guest Dr J S Samra, Ex-CEO, National Ranfed Agriculture Authority, (NRAA) and Ex Dy Director General (DDG, Natural Resource Management, ICAR), New Delhi expressing the significance of the institute to the society, farmers and resource conservation, he shared his experience at the Institute as Director during 1994-2000. He acknowledged that massive changes and improvements both in term of infrastructure, research programs, and achievements visible at the Institute. He praised the institute on its 71st foundation day for its relentless contribution to soil and water conservation research and training.

Dr RC Srivastava, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University (RPCAU), Samastipur, Bihar and Dr Sanjeev Chauhan, Director Research, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forest, Solan, HP. were felicitated as Guests of Honor during the occasion.

Dr Srivastava vividly remembered his student-days life at the Institute as trainee student, that helped him to go on to become Director, ICAR-Central Agriculture Research Institute (ICAR-CARI), Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and later became VC of the RPCAU. He emphasized that this institute caters to the needs of research students, scholars, farmers and executives on the subject of resource conservation.

Dr Sanjeev Chauhan spoke on the significance of soil water conservation in having a balance in nutrient cycle, and oxygen and carbon cycle that sustain our forests and agriculture production systems and propel the growth and development.

Dr M Madhu, Director ICAR-IISWC presented an overall achievement of the Institute and the new initiatives taken during the recent past and last year towards improving the research outcome, conservation of natural resources, farmers welfare and societal development. He revealed that committed financial support for young scientists, use of drone in resource conservation and agriculture and such other new initiatives of the ICAR has been aptly and timely institutionalized to promote research output and outcomes.

Dr Charan Singh, Head, HRD&SS Division and Organizing Secretary welcoming the chief guests and participants introduced the events being planned during the day long program. Dr PR Ojasvi, Senior most Hydrologist of the Institute spoke on the research achievements in watershed hydrology and resource conservation happening at the Institute.

At the end, Dr M Muruganandam, Head, PME&KM Unit thanked the Chief guest, guests of honor and other participants and acknowledged the contribution of scientists and officials of the Institute for successful organization of the event.

Dr Suresh Kumar, Group Director, IIRS, Dr AK Srivastava, Director (Rtd), ICAR-VPAKS, Almora Dr BL Dhyani, Principal Scientist (Rtd) and Dr N K Sharma Principal Scientist (Rtd) were among the dignitaries of the program.

Sh HN Sharma, CAO presented the financial and administrative achievements made at the Institute during the past financial year. Earlier, progressive farmers spoke on the contribution of the Institute in uplifting their livelihood and food production avenues. Scientists, performing staff, retired staff and women work force of the Institute were facilitated during the program. The program was attended by 250 scientists and staff of the Institute, retired staff and the invited guests from various organizations, NGOs, press & media and academia besides 50 online participants. A cultural evening and sports events followed the inauguration of the celebrations.