Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that several decisions have been taken to provide maximum benefits to the forest dwellers of the state. In this episode, Van Mela is also a major means of increasing the income of forest produce producers. The state is making a special identity in the field of wildlife conservation. Decisions have also been taken with the aim of providing economic prosperity to the forest dwellers.
Chouhan was addressing the inauguration program of the seven-day International Forest Fair at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal today. Representatives and scientists from 12 countries have also come to the fair. This year the theme of the International Forest Fair is "Self-reliance from Minor Forest Produce". The forest fair has been organized by the Forest Department and the Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce (Trade and Development) Cooperative Union Limited.
The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is not only a tiger and leopard state, now it is also a Cheetah state. Cheetahs that came from Africa have liked the climate of Madhya Pradesh. Due to them the forests of the state, will become a center of attraction from the point of view of tourism. Whether it is a matter of eco-tourism or importance of forest medicines, Madhya Pradesh has its own distinct identity. Forest medicines are mainly produced in the forests of the state. Many diseases are cured by these. The side effects of this medical method are also very less. During the Corona period, Kadha made from forest medicines was useful. The Kadha of Madhya Pradesh was also useful for the people of other states.
Chouhan said that concrete arrangements have been made in Madhya Pradesh to provide benefits to the local forest dwellers from the forest produce. Tendu leaf collectors are not harmed by the declaration of minimum support price. In the PESA Act, rights have been given to the panchayats of the forest dwellers. Tendupatta collection will be done through panchayats in PESA development blocks. In the year 2017 and 2018, materials like water bottle, saree and slippers etc. were provided to tendupatta workers. In the year 2019, the then government stopped providing these facilities to Tendupatta collectors. After this the arrangements were affected during the Corona period.
The state government will again provide this material to 40 lakh tendu leaf collectors from this year. The interest of tribal brothers and other forest dwellers will be ensured. The support price of Chironji will also be fixed so that the forest dwellers can get full benefit. Chouhan also talked about taking continuous welfare decisions in the interest of the people of the forest area.
Chouhan said that the role of Minor Forest Produce Committee managers is important and commendable. Their honorarium was Rs 5,000 in the year 2016, which was increased to Rs 6,000. The work of increasing it to Rs 10,000 was done. Now it will be increased again to Rs 13 thousand per month. The number of committee managers is 1071 in the state. Chouhan welcomed all the participants in the Forest Fair and congratulated the Forest Department and the team of Madhya Pradesh Small Forest Produce Cooperative Union for the International Forest Fair.
The Chief Minister inspected various stalls in the Van Mela premises and got information about the products from the stall operators. Chouhan also launched the EMFP software at the International Forest Fair.
Chouhan said that Mahua of Madhya Pradesh, which used to sell for Rs.20 or Rs.30 per kg, is now reaching foreign countries.