Central Chronicle News
Raipur, Aug 28: There was collection of forest produce worth Rs 1,173 crore in Chhattisgarh in last two years and it is highest compared to other states in the country. It si for this reason that Chhattisgarh has been presented with highest 11 awards in the field of collection of forest produce in the state. In this Chhattisgarh Rajya Laghu Vanopaj Sangh (CRLVS) has been presented with 9 different awards in the sub-category and 2 in other category, totalling 11 awards.
Hailing the same, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda during his two-day tour to Chhattisgarh paid visit to Bastar region and took information about collection of forest produce and its processing and other works. He said that the forest produce collection work is being done in better manner in Chhattisgarh and due to which the tribals, forest people and those collecting forest produce are getting more and more employment opportunities and with purchase of forest produce on MSP in the state, there is more of profit in purchase of forest produce in the state. This work is proving to be helpful in their progress and development, he added.
During this Union Minister Arjun Munda visited the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Ghuragaon in Lohandiguda tehsil of Bastar district and motivated the self-help group. In this ‘Van-Dhan Kendra’, purchase and processing of forest produce like tamarind, mango, ‘bel’, ‘Aawala’, ‘Jamun’, and ‘Chirounji’ is being done. The villages associated with Ghuragaon Van-Dhan Vikas Kendra include Parapur, Lamraguda, Kuthar, Matnar, Mardom, Badrenga, Kasturpal, Aanjar, Aalnar, Mandar, Chapar, Bhanpuri and Katna. During this he also inspected the venue of Trifed project being established in Bastar and addressed the Van-Dhan Sammelan at the venue.
It is notable here that a total of 52 different varities of forest produce are being purchase in MSP in Chhattsigarh.
IN the year 2018, the total number of Laghu Vanopaj collection centres was 590 and which in 2021 has increased to 4,337. During this the number of members involved in production of herbal products and its processing has increased form 4239 to 17,424. The quantity of forest produce collected has gone up froom 5400 quintal to 6.21 lakh quital. In the year 2018, forest produce worth around Rs 4 crore were collected and which in 2021 shot upto Rs 158 crore.
