The Faculty of Forestry, Division of Social and Basic Sciences, SKUAST-K, on Tuesday kick-started a one-week training programme titled “Forest Ecosystem Health and Climate Mitigation Management for the Future” at its Benhama-Watlar campus in Ganderbal. The programme commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Ashfaq Mir, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Forestry, who described the training as “the need of the hour” and congratulated the organizers for initiating such a timely capacity-building programme. Prof. Syed Naseem Geelani, Head of the Division of Social and Basic Sciences and Coordinator of the programme, provided an overview of the training. He emphasized that the programme aims to help participants understand forests as dynamic living ecosystems rather than merely sources of timber. He highlighted the crucial role of forests in climate change mitigation, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and disaster risk reduction. He expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, in absentia, for his visionary leadership and constant encouragement. He also thanked the Director Planning & Monitoring for guidance and administrative support. He acknowledged the valuable support and facilitation provided by the Dean, Faculty of Forestry, Prof. A. H. Mughal. Special thanks were extended to MSME for sponsoring the training programme and for promoting green skills and entrepreneurship. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Akhlaq Wani, Head of the Department of Natural Resource Management (NRM), highlighted the significant scope of forest-based sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly nature-based enterprises and bio-waste management. Prof. Parveiz A. Sofi, Head of the Department of Forest Products Utilization (FPU), underscored the vast potential of medicinal and aromatic plants, noting that the sector could emerge as a promising enterprise for future generations.