The 126th batch of four-month training course on soil and water conservation and watershed management was organized by ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Dehradun from 08th October 2023 to 07th February 2024. The training program was participated by 23 officer trainees (10 male and 13 female trainees) from the states of Kerala, Assam, Punjab, Nagaland and Meghalaya of the country. The closing ceremony of the training course was organized in the premises of the institute on 07th February 2024. Dr Jagmohan Sharma, Director, Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy, Dehradun graced the closing ceremony as the chief guest. During the function, the Chief Guest was welcomed by Dr M. Madhu, the Director of the Institute. A detailed report of the training program was presented by Dr. Charan Singh, Head of the Human Resource Developmentand Social Science Division of the Institute.

During the closing ceremony, certificates were distributed to all the participating trainees by chief guest Dr Jagmohan Sharma. On the basis of overall performance of the trainees, gold medal was awarded to Mr. Raktim Kiran Das from Assam, silver medal was awarded to Ms. Jyotirupa Kalita, trainee from Assam and bronze medal was awarded to Ms. Reshmi Manohar, from Kerala. In his address, the Chief Guest appreciated the efforts of the institute for the training organized on the subject of soil and water conservation and watershed management. He said that to fulfill India's dream of joining the ranks of developed countries by the year 2047, it is very important to maintain food, water and ecological security in the country, for which conservation of soil and water resources will be essential. To achieve this, the supply of trained man power in the country can be ensured only through such training programs, hence the institute has been described as an institute that contributes to the development of the country.

During the closing ceremony, the Director of the Institute, Dr M. Madhu congratulated all the participating trainees for successfully completing the training and also appealed to them to use the knowledge and skills learnt in the training at the grassroots level in their respective states. On this occasion, he stressed on the need to propagate the slogan “Soil, clothes and house, soil is the boon, if we all protect it, our country will become great”.

The program was coordinated by Dr Lekh Chand, coordinator and principal Scientist of the training. During the ceremony, other renowned Scientists of the institute Dr R.K. Singh, Dr J.M.S. Tomar, Er S.S. Shrimali, Dr Matabar Singh Rana, Dr Indu Rawat, Dr Trisha Roy and Dr Sadikul Islam were also present. At the end of the program, everyone was thanked by the training coordinator and for organizing the training, Mr. Suresh Kumar, Mr. Anil Kumar, Mr. K.R. Joshi , Mrs. Lata Bhanwar, Mr. Dharampal, Mr. Kamal Kishore, Mr. Naresh Lal, Ms. Neha Chautala, Ms. Akansha Verma were also appreciated.