The work of collecting forest produce is being started in the State from April 25. The State Government has issued guidelines to protect the workers and villagers engaged in forest produce collection, processing, transportation, storage, treatment and marketing operations from Corona infection.
During these activities, if any collector or forest worker shows signs of Corona virus infection, then he will be rushed to the nearest hospital immediately.
Principal Secretary Forest Ashok Varnwal has told all the Divisional Commissioners, Inspector Generals of Police, Collectors, Superintendents of Police and Chief Executive Officers, District Panchayat, besides Managing Director, Rajya Laghu Vanopaj Sangh, that the employees, buyers and representatives involved in the collection of minor forest produce, workers and villagers will inevitably use face masks / face covers / towels/ handkerchiefs / dupattas etc.
During this time, adherence to the health related order issued by the Department of Public Health and Family Welfare on 9 April 2020 will be ensured.
A pre-fixed identity card will be issued by the Divisional Forest Officer or Managing Director District Union for the tendu patta buyers and their representatives. This I-card will be valid only for small forest produce collection, transportation and storage. The revenue and police administration will be apprised about these I-cards by the Collector. Necessary arrangements will be made by the Minor Forest Produce Association through the Forest Department for the purchase of minor forest produce at minimum support price.
Sanitisers and soaps will be kept at each collection and storage centre and godown as necessary. Here, it will be necessary for all concerned to wash their hands for 20 seconds and sanitize their hands whenever they come and go.
Those involved in forest produce etc. will work by keeping a distance of at least 2 meters between them. A circle will be made with lime at each collection centre at every 2 meters. These centres will have proper lighting for night work.