Jodhpur: The Rajasthan Forest Department’s ongoing collaboration with JAICA in the forestry and biodiversity project is set to receive a boost with the inclusion of Japanese universities in the partnership, alongside the ICFRE–Arid Forest Research Institute (AFRI) at Jodhpur.
A senior AFRI official said that a proposal has been submitted as part of a tripartite agreement between AFRI, the Rajasthan Forest Department, and JAICA to involve students from Japan-based universities.
Dr. Tarun Kant, Link Officer of AFRI, stated that the proposal to include Japanese universities has been submitted to the Centre and is awaiting clearance.
He added that within the JAICA–Rajasthan Forest Department project, AFRI will contribute to specific components, including sand dune stabilisation, forest area mapping, and other research-oriented activities.
Dr. Kant said that AFRI is developing a model for sand dune stabilisation across Rajasthan’s desert regions.
He further explained that AFRI has been working closely with the Rajasthan Forest Department on various projects, providing backend technical support and expertise.
Commenting on the idea of eradicating deserts, Dr. Kant said that such a notion contradicts environmental conservation principles. He emphasised that deserts are an integral part of the ecosystem and must be preserved.
He highlighted that desert vegetation comprises climate-resilient tree species that may actually suffer when exposed to excessive rainfall.
According to him, the real challenge lies in reclaiming degraded desert lands. Efforts, he said, should focus on preserving desert biodiversity by promoting the plantation of native species and restoring ecological balance in these arid landscapes.
