JUVC Launches Wild Mushrooms Awareness Calendar 2023 under the aegis of MoEFCC and NMHS

JAMMU, January 03: In order to generate and create awareness among the masses on the importance of mushrooms, a Wild Mushroom Calendar 2023 was released today by Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu.

Speaking on occasion, Prof. Rai thanked the Ministry of Environment, Forests, Climate Change, the Government of India, the National Mission of Himalayan Studies (NMHS) and the Departments of Botany, University of Jammu and University of Delhi for jointly supporting the calendar and expressed the hope that raising awareness of wild mushrooms will aid in addressing the region-specific issues of food security and the environment facing the community and examining solutions.

He added that domesticating and growing mushrooms as well as adding value through the creation of processed items can contribute in creating jobs and income. He further exhorted that the Department should exhibit novel wild mushrooms of J&K and Ladakh as well as start skill-development courses on various facets of mushrooms and their economic significance.

Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, the project’s principal investigator, informed that the calendar features twelve distinctive, recent, and original field images of wild mushrooms growing in a variety of Kargil (Ladakh) environments. “Mushrooms are used as a source of high-quality food protein, and even FAO has advised using mushrooms for the world’s populations who lack access to adequate protein.

However, in the present scenario, the deterioration of natural habitats due to anthropogenic processes makes it important to record these wild mushrooms before they become extinct. Therefore, this calendar is an innovative way to bring forth awareness regarding the availability of wild mushroom resources that can help alleviate the nutritional deficiencies and ensure food security for the population dwelling in the hinterlands”, said Prof Sharma.

Conceived by Prof Yash Pal Sharma and designed by the Project Fellow Mr. Syed Azhar Hashmi, the Wild Mushroom Awareness Calendar 2023 also highlights the basic information on the general life cycle and significance of wild mushrooms.

Prof. Arvind Jasrotia, Registrar, Prof. Veenu Kaul, Head of the Botany Department, Dr Harish, Dr. SkarmaNonzom, Dr Tahir and Mr Komal were present during the calendar release ceremony.