CM inaugurates Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Mela
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, October 14 2022:
Chief minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday inaugurated Van Dhan Vikas Kendra Mela, 2022 at Manipur State Film Development Society, Palace Compound.
The mela is an exhibition of the best of Van Dhan Vikas Kendra workmanship from all districts and is organised by the Forest Department under the aegis of TRIFED and Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren appreciated the officials of Forest department for their dedication and hard work towards saving the forest land of the state.
He recalled that Van Dhan Yojana was launched nationwide by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14, 2018 and implemented in the state on October 14, 2019 to help in transforming the economy of tribal people in the state.
The scheme is now able to provide employment directly or indirectly to 41,918 members of various Self-Help Groups, he added.
The CM also assured of all possible support from the government to all Self-Help Groups under various Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, in their efforts to promote forest produce and enhance their livelihood and announced that his government would try to complete the construction of workshed and storage for minor forest products soon, in consultation with concerned department and officials.
Biren acknowledged that Manipur has huge potential and resources which are yet to be explored.
"If value addition, proper packaging and marketing of forest products can be done, our products can also compete in the international market," he added and stressed the need to set up a food processing factory in a suitable place at Imphal.
Mentioning that forest is life, he stated that the government had earlier taken the decision of issuing weapons to Forest Department officials to protect the forest, considering the utmost importance of its preservation.
Raising concern on encroachment in Reserved Forest areas for settlement, he warned that legal action would be taken up against officials who unlawfully give recognition and approval for settlement in Reserve Forest areas.
Forest minister Thongam Biswajit Singh, delivering his presidential speech, stated the biggest challenges of a society are its economy and employment.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), 2127 Van Dhan Self-Help Groups had been set up giving benefits to 41,918 members, thereby improving their livelihood.
He continued that state government has taken up various initiatives for promoting tribal enterprise through value addition, branding and better ways of marketing of forest products.
He also informed that the department is planning to open kiosks of forest produce in every district for improving in marketing of forest produce and appealed to the public for support and cooperation in government initiatives to enhance development of the state and livelihood of the people.
In his address, Tribal Affairs and Hills minister Letpao Haokip stated that Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana was launched to improve the livelihood of less developed tribal people for generating employment.
He also stressed CM's desire to carry out terrace cultivation in hill areas, plant ing horticulture crops and construction of check dams.
He continued that planting horticulture crops can aid in achieving self-reliance.
During the event, the dignitaries also inspected stalls set up by 14 Territorial Forest Divisions at the venue.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Dr AK Joshi, officials of Forest Department and members of Self-Help Groups also attended the programme among others.
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