Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday underlined the need to ensure profitable means of livelihood to the tribal community.
Baghel made the point while holding discussions with Willem Ferwerda, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of Commonland Foundation, Amsterdam.
Ferwerda led a delegation as he called on Baghel here, an official communication said.
The Foundation as a pilot project has selected two Baiga-dominated gram panchayats Dholbajja and Shambhupipar in Kabirdham district.
The Chief Minister said there was a need to provide a gainful means of livelihood to the tribal community.
He suggested promoting the commercial production of climate-friendly fruits. Orchards can be developed based on the kinds of select fruits. These villages should then have fruit processing units. A nursery of the fruit plants can also be developed.
He said it would have a double benefit to the tribal community. The community can use the grown fruits for consumption to better their nutritional status. The sale of raw fruits and processed fruit productions can earn them good income.
The Chief Minister discussed the schemes related to environment protection, mitigating the effects of climate change and livelihood of tribal communities.
Commonland Foundation works with the tribal people using their traditional knowledge and modern technology for environmental protection and development of means of livelihood.