Narva scheme is proving important in increasing people’s income along with ground water conservation – Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel
Collection work of minor forest produce in Chhattisgarh is commendable
32 IFS from 15 states of the country met the Chief Minister after studying the development plans
Raipur 3 February 2023
In the direction of water and forest conservation in Chhattisgarh, the Narva Development Scheme being run by the government and the collection of minor forest produce is being done well. This scheme of Chhattisgarh is exemplary for other states of the country. The officers of the 2014-15 batch of the Indian Forest Service, who were on a study tour of Chhattisgarh, said these things during their meeting with Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel. In the excursion team, 32 officers of the Indian Forest Service from 15 states of the country shared their experiences with the Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel after a two-day visit to the Chief Minister’s residence on Friday evening.
During this, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel said that Chhattisgarh is a rich state in terms of forests. Here, many schemes are being implemented in a better way using innovation for the development of forests as well as forest-dependent tribals and forest dwellers. In this context, the ambitious Narva Development Scheme of the state government has started being appreciated in other states of the country as well. This scheme is proving important in ground water conservation as well as in livelihood and income enhancement of the people in Vananchal.
Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that for the promotion and conservation of forests, it is necessary that not only timber, but in the present times, we should encourage planting of fruit trees as much as possible. With this, the livelihood of the forest dwellers will be enhanced, as well as the facility of food and shelter for the wild animals will also be available. He specifically mentioned about the Narva Development Scheme being run in the order of development of forests in the state. He told that using innovation in Chhattisgarh, its implementation is going on in a better way by implementing the Narva Development Scheme for ground water conservation. Under this, work is being done on a large scale to revive 8 thousand Narva. Out of these, 6 thousand 395 narvas of Vananchal have been revived and renovated so far. With their implementation, about 23 lakh hectare area in the state will get the benefit of soil treatment.
Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that many benefits are being received from the groundwater conservation work being done in the forest areas under the Narva Development Scheme in the state. There has been a reduction in soil erosion in the forests. Due to the increase in the ground water level in the forest areas, there is an increase in the regeneration capacity of the forests, as well as sufficient amount of drinking water has been provided for the wild animals throughout the year. He told that apart from this, better arrangements for employment have also been ensured in forest areas. The irrigation potential of agricultural land around the drains is increasing. Through the works of ground water conservation, employment has been made available to the villagers in and around the forest areas.
Addressing on this occasion, Forest and Climate Change Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar informed in detail about the activities being conducted for conservation and promotion of forests in the state. During this, he especially mentioned about the collection work of minor forest produce and Narva development etc. schemes run by the present government in the interest of the forest dwellers. He told that as a result of the decision taken in the interest of the forest dwellers in the state, Chhattisgarh has consistently topped the collection of minor forest produce. 74 percent of the country’s minor forest produce is being collected here.
The program was also addressed by Chief Minister’s Advisor Mr. Pradeep Sharma, Chairman Biodiversity Board Mr. Rakesh Chaturvedi, Chief Executive Officer CAMPA Mr. V. Srinivasa Rao.
Indian Forest Service officers shared their experiences
Mr. Agnishwar Beas from Gujarat shared his experiences and said that he has come to Chhattisgarh on a two-day stay. He said – Our team visited Pampar Nala under the Narva Development Scheme located in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh and saw the work of Narva revival. Appreciating the scheme run in the state, he said that the implementation of this scheme will be done through GIS method through D.P.R. prepared and implemented.
Similarly, Ms. Poornima P. from Odisha told that the site selection of various structures by NRM engineer using GIS method was very accurate and the quality is good. He said that due to which the result is visible in two years itself. An increase in regeneration is being seen in the forest area. Mrs. Suvina Thakur of Himachal Pradesh told that in Chhattisgarh work was seen in the field of minor forest produce collection and processing. During this, visited the Dugli Processing Center located in Dhamtari and saw how the work is being done by the women of self-help groups and they are getting continuous employment, which is a very good example of women empowerment.
Mr. Shannagam S. of Manipur. During the presentation, told how 13 lakh hectares of forest area in Chhattisgarh has been given forest resource rights and handed over to village panchayats for management. Chhattisgarh has taken the best initiative in the direction of forest resources in the whole country.
Mr. Satyam Kumar of Jharkhand told that our team visited the Jungle Safari located in Nava Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. This is India’s largest man-made jungle safari, in which many wild animals of rare species have been kept, the management of jungle safari is very good.
Similarly, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Sethi of Telangana said that he had heard the name of Chhattisgarh as a Naxal-affected area, but after coming here, it was found in the presentation that there are many tourist places here, which appeared attractive like Chitrakot’s water fall, Tirathgarh’s water fall etc. Therefore, whenever I get a chance to visit somewhere in future, I would definitely like to visit Chhattisgarh again.
