Raipur. 6 August 2021. Chhattisgarh, which has emerged as a model state in the field of minor forest produce collection, has been awarded ten awards in various categories by the Government of India. The state has got the first place in the country in six categories. Mahua sanitizer and tamarind chaska manufactured in the state have received awards in the new product and innovation category. 12 Van Dhan Kendras of the state have also received 15 state level awards. Union Tribal Affairs Minister Shri Arjun Munda presented these awards to Chhattisgarh in a virtual program organized in New Delhi today.
Expressing happiness on this achievement of Chhattisgarh, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the state of Chhattisgarh has set a new record by purchasing maximum forest produce in the country. Due to these efforts of the government, the economic condition of the forest dwellers has improved. Due to this a large number of people are getting employment. In the last two years, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Baghel, the Government of Chhattisgarh has taken revolutionary decisions to bring a change in the lives of forest dwellers and minor forest produce collectors. These decisions have now made the minor forest produce sold at throwaway prices valuable. The forest produce collectors have started getting its direct benefit. This is the reason that the state has now become the top state in the country in terms of collection of minor forest produce.
National awards have been given by evaluating the performance of the states under Van Dhan and Sales and Marketing. In these, Chhattisgarh has topped in the whole country in six categories. In the award ceremony organized through video conference, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda praised the work of self-help groups of Bastar and Jagdalpur engaged in processing of forest produce. He also encouraged them by discussing with the women of the group. Shri Munda asked these women to further expand the processing work so that more quantity of processed materials can be produced and more and more people get employment. He asked to share the problems faced in this work with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Mr. Praveer Krishna, Managing Director, TRIFED presented cashews processed by the women of Bakavand to Mr. Munda. He informed that the TRIFED’s located across the country
Under the Van Dhan Puraskar 2020-21, Chhattisgarh has to include the maximum new forest produce (52) in the Minimum Support Price scheme for minor forest produce, the smallest forest produce of the highest value (Rs 180.51 crore) from the amount of the Government of India. First prize has been received for purchase, purchase of minor forest produce of maximum value (Rs 1173 crore) from the amount of Central and State Government and maximum utilization of amount (Rs 127.09 crore) provided till the year 2020-21. Manufacture of maximum products (121) for value addition under Van Dhan Yojana and maximum sale of products by value addition (4. 24 crore) has also been awarded to the state. Chhattisgarh has got the third prize for completing maximum survey in this category and maximum training for Van Dhan Vikas Kendra clusters. Mahua sanitizer and Tamarind Chaska manufactured in the state have been awarded in the category of new product and innovation.
‘Chhattisgarh Herbals ‘ Brand Available on Amazon
Establishing “Chhattisgarh Herbals” as a nationwide brand, its herbal products are being sold all over the country. In the current financial year 2021-22, a target has been set to sell products worth about Rs.10 crore. This will benefit about five thousand women of women self-help groups engaged in processing work.
