ICAR Sikkim Centre Organising State Level Workshop on Post Entry Quarantine
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok organised two days ‘State Level Workshop on Post Entry Quarantine’ from May 06-07, 2016 with the aim to create awareness on Post Entry Quarantine for restricting the entry of new insect pests and diseases from other countries along with seeds/planting materials/imported materials into the State. More than 60 participants from various departments viz., FSADD, H&CCDD, SAMETI, ATMA of Govt. of Sikkim; Indian Cardamom Research Institute, Spices Board, Tadong; RC-IBSD, Tadong; Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Management department, GOS, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (North, South and West); ICAR Sikkim Centre and farmers representatives from North, South and West Sikkim have participated the programme. The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Thomas Chandy, IFS, PCCF cum Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Govt. of Sikkim in the presence of Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Dr. N. Sathyanarayana, Director (Bio-security), National Institute of Plant Health Management, Hyderabad, Shri. P. T. Bhutia, Director, H&CCDD, Govt. of Sikkim and other officials of State Govt. and line departments. One extension folder on plant quarantine for pest and disease management also was released.
Inaugurating the program, Dr. Thomas Chandy, IFS, PCCF cum Principal Secretary, Forest, Environment and Wildlife Management Department, Govt. of Sikkim emphasized on the significance of plant quarantine for biodiversity conservation in Sikkim. He also highlighted the importance of pest and diseases outbreak not only in agricultural crops and also in forest ecosystem due to introduction of planting materials infected with new pest and diseases. He stressed to follow the quarantine measures to restrict the exotic insect pests and diseases and invasive species to save the existing flora and fauna in Sikkim which is a global biodiversity hotspot.
Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR, Sikkim Centre gave brief overview of role of ICAR Sikkim Centre in plant quarantine in Sikkim State. He also spoke on the impending danger due to introduction of non-quarantined planting materials in the organic state like Sikkim. He appealed to the officials to follow the rules and procedures of plant quarantine and post entry quarantine before introducing new planting materials into the State as an extremely important measure to safeguard the precious biodiversity of Sikkim.
Dr. N. Sathyanarayana, Director, Bio-security, NIPHM, Hyderabad spoke about the importance of plant quarantine for bio-security of the country. He also told that awareness should be created among the farmers, policy makers, business holders etc.
In his address, Shri. P. T. Bhutia, Director, H&CCDD, Govt. of Sikkim, appreciated the efforts taken by ICAR Sikkim Centre in organising this workshop for the benefit of the State. He also said that the state department will extend full cooperation for the successful implementation of plant quarantine system in Sikkim.
Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology) welcomed all the participants and briefed about the importance of organising this training programme. He also emphasised on the need for creation of PEQ facilities well in advance by the importers to prevent the introduction of new pests and diseases into the State. Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) proposed the vote of thanks and wished for the successful completion of the programme. Shri S.M. Kandwal, Technical Officer moderated the inaugural session.
During the technical sessions on May 6 and 7, 2016 total of seven important lectures were delivered by the Dr. N. Sathyanarayana, Director (Biosecurity) and Dr. Latha S. Rao, Scientific Officer from NIPHM, Hyderabad and Dr H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology), ICAR Sikkim Centre on different aspects of quarantine. At the end of the programme there was an interaction regarding implementation of proper quarantine procedure for importing various materials. During discussion it was decided that there is an urgent need to follow proper guidelines of post entry quarantines for importing various germplasm/planting materials to the state as safeguard measure for the immense and valuable biodiversity of the state. Dr. N. Sathyanarayana, Director (Bio-security), NIPHM, Hyderabad has assured all technical and scientific support for strengthening the Post Entry Quarantine activities at Sikkim. During the discussion, it was decided that Sikkim Biodiversity Board may initiate process to bring all the stakeholders in the State on one platform for post entry quarantine related issues and all the local biodiversity should be registered with PPV&FRA. All the Panchayat Presidents and homestead operators should be made aware of the importance of biodiversity and be cautious especially about any traveller visiting in the region. Unwanted/undesirable/invasive crops should not be introduced in the State as they may create havoc in near future and it will be difficult to manage disease and pests under organic management conditions.
The Chief Guest Dr. Thomas Chandy inaugurating the programme
Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR Sikkim Centre addressing the participants
Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist, ICAR Sikkim Centre briefing about Quarantine
The Chief Guest Dr. Thomas Chandy releasing the Extension Folder
The Chief Guest Dr. Thomas Chandy Addressing the house
