A workshop was conducted for the conservation of the forest produces on Wednesday during the ‘International Van Mela 2016’. Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, Ramprasad chaired the workshop. As many as 100 participants exchanged their thoughts over various issues related to the conservation of plants and forest produce. Managing Director of Minor Forest Produce Federation, Jawwad Hasan, and Additional Managing Director AK Bisariya remained present during the workshop along with the other representatives. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nepal’s Sabah organisation, Robin Amatya told that the organisation is extracting fibers from a special plant naming ‘bicchu buti’. Various kinds of clothes are being prepared from this fiber and around 22 lakh people have got employment due to this initiative. Vice President of Singrauli District Union, Gulbasiya Devi informed the people that around 7000 people are getting employment due to her collection of minor forest produces.
Anita Patnaha of Satna gave presentation over the processing of mahua while senior scientist of State forest research institute, RK Pandey expressed concern over the conservation of the medicinal plants. Forest medicines worth around `10 lakh have been sold till now in the international van mela 2016. Representatives of various countries have displayed their exhibition in the mela. Around 300 stalls have been installed by the several forest produce cooperative committees. The exhibition of the medicinal plants is attracting the visitors.
Dr Sanjay Sharma and Anju Shridharan are provided free guidance to the people in this stall. Around 36 doctors and vaidyas also treated the people in the OPD during the mela.