NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON VETIVER SYSTEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND NATURAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT

摘要

The first ever national workshop on "Vetiver System for environmental protection and natural disaster management" was held at Hotel Sarovarom, Cochin between the 21st and 23rd February 2008. The Workshop was jointly sponsored by The Indian Vetiver Network, The Vetiver Network International, Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (P) Ltd., (KDHP), and Tata Tea Limited. It was attended by around 300 participants from India and abroad. The workshop was inaugurated by his Excellency, the Governor of Kerala, Sri.R.L. Bhatia. In his inaugural address he said that the country was lagging in utilizing vetiver for soil erosion and vetiver grass was used across the country for medicinal purposes. Highlighting the environmental aspects of vetiver grass, the Governor said that billions of tonnes of soil were being lost throughout the world each year due to deforestation. Vetiver grass, which is known as a "Hedge against erosion "was the most cost-effective, viable alternative to stop soil erosion and maintain soil moisture, bio-engineering and bio remediation he said.