The University of Agricultural Sciences observed Tuesday as Forestry Day with an inaugural session on clean development technologies and mechanisms.

Dr M H Swaminath, Director General of EMPRI, spoke about India’s potential for carbon trading. His message to the students gathered on the occasion was: “Save energy in whatever manner possible. Sustainable development and growth is possible only if agriculture, environment and growth are interlinked.” Dr M N Sheelavantar, Vice-Chancellor, UAS, said the evolution of mankind had taken place within the forests. “Life originated in water, but a major part of the evolution took place in the forests,” he said, terming forests as the site for creation, evolution and modernisation.

Initially, agriculture was carved out of forestry, he said. “But today, the trend has been reversed. Today there is a need to implant forestry in agriculture,” he said. He expressed concern over the increased effects of greenhouse gases.