Biochar Research Facility Inaugurated at Neri

Neri (Hamirpur): A state-of-the-art Biochar Research and Training Facility has been inaugurated at the College of Horticulture and Forestry (COH&F), Neri, a constituent college of Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry (UHF), Nauni. The facility marks a significant step towards sustainable biomass management, climate change mitigation, and strengthening research on carbon sequestration and soil health.
The facility has been established by ProClime Services Private Limited under a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed last year between the university, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department and ProClime Services Private Limited, Chennai. The initiative aims to address forest fire hazards through scientific utilization of forest biomass while promoting environmental conservation, sustainable livelihoods and community awareness.
The biochar production unit, with a processing capacity of 1.5 tonnes per day (TPD), was inaugurated last week by Suresh Kumar, MLA, Bhoranj, in the presence of Sushil Kumar Singla, Secretary, Department of Environment, Science and Technology, Government of Himachal Pradesh, and Nishant Mandotra, Conservator of Forests. Senior officials from the Department of Horticulture, faculty members from IIT Roorkee, who provided valuable technical inputs for the project, and representatives from ProClime were also present on the occasion. Dr. Ramesh Kumar Bhardwaj, Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, along with Heads of Departments, faculty members, research scholars, and postgraduate students attended the inaugural programme.
Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced from biomass under controlled conditions and has emerged as an important tool for improving soil fertility, enhancing water retention, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and generating carbon credits. The Neri facility will utilize locally available biomass, including pine needles, lantana, bamboo, and other woody residues, converting them into biochar for agricultural and horticultural applications. Besides reducing the risk of forest fires through productive biomass utilization, the facility will provide valuable opportunities for research, skill development and hands-on training for students in the emerging field of biochar technology and carbon sequestration.
The project is also expected to create livelihood opportunities for local communities through sustainable biomass collection and processing while strengthening the university's research on climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management.
Under the agreement, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department will facilitate sustainable biomass collection through community participation, provide the necessary permissions and concessions, and ensure compliance with forest and environmental regulations. The university will provide land for the facility at Neri, support the required statutory approvals, and undertake research on the application of biochar in agriculture, horticulture, and soil health improvement. ProClime Services Private Limited will establish, operate, and maintain the facility while providing technical expertise and market linkages.
The installation of the 1.5 TPD Biochar Research and Training Facility at Neri represents a significant milestone in bringing practical carbon-offset technologies to academic institutions and rural landscapes in Himachal Pradesh.