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 Mr.
Piare Lal
Pragati Biotechnologies was set up in December 2000 by Mr. Piare Lal
and his son Balmukand. Mr. Piare Lal retired as Vice President - Plantations, ITC Bhadrachalam
Paperboards Limited (now ITC Limited). He has over 40 years
of experience as a distinguished professional forester with proven track record
and pioneering contributions in the development of genetically improved high
yielding clones and promotion of large scale Clonal Eucalyptus.
Forests are
under intense biotic pressures and major factors contributing to degradation are
illicit removal of firewood in head loads, theft of valuable timber, excessive
and uncontrolled grazing, fires, and in certain areas shifting cultivation. Lack
of adequate investments in forestry sector, inadequate policy reforms and poor
R&D and technological inputs are other contributing factors. Most of the
community/ village forests have disappeared and pressures are mounting on
remaining 38 million ha of forests with crown cover density more than 40%.
Depletion
of tree cover results in excessive soil erosion, contributing to degradation of
land, flash floods, silting of riverbeds/reservoirs, loss of bio-diversity and
inadequate recharging of underground aquifers. Total extent of degraded forests
and wasteland needing urgent reclamation/ reforestation measures is 130 million
ha in India, i.e. 40% of the geographical area. Restoration of green cover and
substantial improvements in land productivity are most essential for:
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narrowing
the gap between future demand and availability of firewood / timber /
wood-based products
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sustaining
the momentum of green revolution and life support systems,
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environmental amelioration and ecological balance
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conservation of bio-diversity, precious soil and water resources,
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prevention
of flash floods and desertification.
Major
objectives of this project and potential benefits to the farming community are
summarized below:
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Diversification of agriculture through remunerative horticulture, agro-forestry
plantations and hedging of risks affecting traditional agricultural crops.
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Supply of
genetically improved planting stock of best cultivars of horticultural plants
and high yielding clones of Poplars.
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Supply of
genetically improved clonal planting stock of Eucalyptus based on application of
contemporary clonal technology and green house facilities, which will
revolutionize productivity and profitability of agro-forestry plantations.
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Research
and development support for the project for continuous improvement in genetic
quality of clonal planting stock including development and deployment of hybrid
clones.
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Research
and development support for continuous improvement of package of practices
supported with high quality technical extension services to enable farmers
benefit from latest technologies
- Manifold improvement in
productivity of plantations and quality of produce leading to optimization of
per unit production costs and maximization of profits.
Highly productive clonal plantations will help diversification of
agriculture and contribute to the greening of the country, conservation
of country's biodiversity rich natural forests and large scale employment
opportunities through development of wood based industries.
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Village:
Dholbaha, District - Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. 
