Forest dwellers become a shield in crisis: Employment in Corona era, also gave income

10 December 2020 , The state of Chhattisgarh leads the country in terms of saving forests. During the Corona period, forest-based economic activities were stagnating throughout the country, while under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel, Chhattisgarh achieved good achievement during this period. During the lockdown, Chhattisgarh had the maximum participation in forest produce collection. This is expected to generate income of about 2500 crores to the forest dwellers. According to TRIFED data, 4 lakh 75 thousand quintal forest produce worth 112 crore rupees were collected in the state till July. While Corona has destroyed the world economy, in this way, the forest dwellers of Chhattisgarh are earning a living as well as the economy of the state by collecting forest produce.

The closure of factories during lockdown deepened the problem of employment in the country and the world, but in Chhattisgarh, forest dwellers continued to get employment through forest produce and collection of forest wealth even in this crisis. Economically, self-sufficiency came in the state, as well as the wheels of the economy continued to run smoothly. The new economic strategy of the Chhattisgarh government is changing the lives of large population of forest dwellers through forests. Every year 12 lakh 65 thousand collector families are getting employment through collection of tendu leaves. The value of tendu patta has been increased to Rs 4000 per standard bag by the state government, giving them a direct benefit of Rs 649 crore.
    In Chhattisgarh, the state government has now increased the number of forest produce purchased from the minimum support price from 52 to 52. Chhattisgarh ranks first in the country in the collection of small forest produce. Here, the annual target of collection of minor forest produce was completed in the first six months of this year. During the current forest produce collection, 4 lakh 75 thousand quintals of minor forest produce of 112 crore rupees were collected in the state till July 2020. Keeping in view the interest of forest dwellers in the state, the support price of Mahua was increased from 17 to 30 rupees per kg. A total of Rs 930 crore of forest produce brought under the purview of the scheme is traded in the state. The forest produce is being procured through 866 hot markets. Wood art development, lac bangles manufacturing, double-leaf construction, drug processing, city processing, bell metal, 10 lakh man-days of employment is being created by terracotta handicrafts work etc. About 14 thousand youths are being provided employment through the Forest Development Corporation, construction of bamboo tree guards, bamboo furniture manufacturing, planting of medicinal plants through the Vanaushadhi Board, etc.