From Pine to Prosperity: Crafting Skills for a Greener Tomorrow.
Shimla:
To promote sustainable livelihoods, skill development, and eco-conscious practices among students and rural women, a Five-Day Skill Enhancement Workshop on “Eco-Friendly Pine Craft Items & Artificial Flower Making” was inaugurated on 15th July, 2025 at Vallabh Government College, Mandi. The event is being organized by the Department of Botany under the aegis of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA).
With an aim to convert forest fire threats into useful resources and promote the ‘Waste to Wealth’ concept, the workshop has drawn 50 enthusiastic participants—including 35 Botany Major students, 10 students from the Commerce Department, and 5 women participants from UBA-adopted villages of Dharyana, Larwhan, Sadyana, and Thount.
This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, empowering the participants to creatively utilize locally available natural materials like pine needles to craft sustainable and marketable products.
Principal Prof. Sanjeev Kumar inaugurated the event and emphasized that such skill-based courses play a crucial role in enhancing students’ creativity and steering them away from distractions like mobile phone addiction and drug abuse. He appreciated the combined efforts of faculty and staff in promoting meaningful engagement among youth.
Prof. Anuj Kumar and Santosh Kumar from the Commerce Department, Prof. Tara Devi Sen (HOD, Botany), Prof. Deepali Ashok, and Nitu Pathania are actively facilitating the workshop, along with dedicated lab staff, ensuring a hands-on and collaborative learning experience for all.
