DFO launches VDVK Hengbung
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, March 04 2020:
As part of the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), the Divisional Forest Officer, Kangpokpi Forest Division launched Hengbung Van Dhan Vikas Kendra today at Multipurpose Hall, FEEDS, Hengbung in Kangpokpi District.
Hengbung Van Dhan Vikas Kendra is among the three Van Dhan Vikas Kendra opened in Kangpokpi District.
The other two kendras are Tujang Vaichong Van Dhan Vikas Kendra and Konsakhul Van Dhan Vikas Kendra.
The three kendras comprised fifteen Self Help Groups each.
As part of the launching program, district level advocacy cum training programme of Self Help Groups on Value Addition of NTFPS was also conducted.
The programme was graced by Lalithambigai Kalidas, Deputy Commissioner, Kangpokpi as chief guest, Chinpilhing Kipgen, DFO, Kangpokpi Forest Division as functional president and Haokholet Kipgen, president, FEEDS Hengbung guest of honour.
Addressing the gathering, Lalithambigai Kalidas said that Kangpokpi district has very fertile soil suitable for any kinds of crops, vegetables, etc.
Saying that one should not practise agricultural activities that might degrade the fertile soil, land, forest and environment, the DC motivated the participating Self Help Groups to make use of their skills for a sustainable livelihood.
FEEDS president, Haokholet Kipgen also motivated the Self Help Groups participating in the advocacy cum training programme.
In her presidential address, Chinpilhing Kipgen, DFO Kangpokpi Forest Division said that Van Dhan Vikas is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) targeting livelihood generation for tribal population by harnessing the wealth of forest and to improve tribal incomes through value addition of tribal products.
The State nodal agency for MFPs and the District collectors are envisaged to play a pivot role in scheme implementation at the grassroots level.
Locally the kendras are proposed to be managed by a Managing Committee (an SHG) consisting of representatives of Van Dhan SHGs in the cluster.
She also said that the programme aims to tap into the traditional knowledge and skillsets of tribal people by adding technology and information technology for upgrading output at each stage and to convert the tribal wisdom into a remunerative economic activity.
The DFO also said that Van Dhan Vikas Kendras will play a pivotal role in the economic development of the country through a collection of MFPs and optimum utilization of forest resources by the tribal community.
DC Kangpokpi and DFO Kangpokpi Forest Division also handed over the tool kit comprises of 21 items including weighing balance, sealing machine, syntax, pressure cooker, plastic storage box, gas stove, gas cylinder, etc.
during the function.