Forest ministers of three western Himalayan mountain states will discuss ways and means to combat the impact of climate change during the three-day "National conference on forestry solutions: Strategies under mitigation and adaptation of the impacts of climate change" beginning here tomorrow. They will also pitch for a separate forest policy for hill states.

The aim of conference is to highlight the strategies to preserve forest resources and ecosystems in mountain region, with special reference to Himachal Pradesh, explore options for sustainable forest management and identify institutional roles under forest governance.

The conference will be attended by forest ministers and senior officers from Uttranchal and Jammu and Kashmir, besides the host state, and renowned experts of various related fields from India and abroad.

Chief secretary Asha Swarup will inaugurate the conference, while Chief Minister P.K.Dhumal will preside over the concluding session on November 21.