Chief Minister launched works worth Rs 300 crore under ‘Narva Vikas Yojana’
Rs 34.41 crore remuneration distributed to 4.72 lakh tendu leaf collectors
Inaugurated forest produce quality testing laboratories in Raipur, Bilaspur, Kanker, Jagdalpur and Surguja forest circles
Eco-tourism development works started in Mahasamund Forest Division at a cost of Rs 5 crore
Instructed not to compromise on the quality of Narva development works
Instructed to keep the price of C-Mart’s products lesser the market price
Raipur, 17 June 2022/ Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel on Friday said it is the need of hour to save surface and ground water to maintain the availability of water for the future generation. He instructed not to compromise on the quality of groundwater restoration and conservation work being done under Narva Yojana. The programme was presided over by Forest and Climate Change Minister Mr. Mohammad Akbar.
He was addressing a virtual programme organized by the Forest Department from his residence office here today. On the occasion, Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel launched the works approved by the state government under the ambitious ‘Narva Vikas’ programme in the year 2022-23 in 40 forest divisions of the state at a cost of Rs 300 crore 52 lakh under CAMPA head. He also transferred an amount of Rs 34 crore 41 lakh to 4 lakh 72 thousand collectors associated with 432 societies as remuneration for the tendu leaf collection done in the state in the year 2020.
In the programme, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel inaugurated laboratories established at the forest circle level in Raipur, Bilaspur, Kanker, Jagdalpur and Surguja for quality testing of forest produce and products. Along with this, he also launched the eco-tourism development works in Mahasamund Forest Division at a cost of Rs 5 crore.
Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that Narva Vikas Yojana is important for increasing green cover and boosting the income of the people in forest region. This scheme should be given the form of a campaign keeping in view its importance. He directed the officials concerned to ensure that there is no compromise in the quality of works being done under this scheme.
Referring his visit to Surguja and Bastar divisions during the Bhent-Mulaqat Abhiyan, the Chief Minister said that the water level in Surajpur, Bijapur and Sukma is very low and it is the need of hour to do maximum Narva development work in these districts. He said that during the meet and greet programme, information was received that due to these works, the water level has increased by about 30 cm in forest areas while about 7 cm in plain areas. The Narva development will not only ensure availability of adequate quantities of water for wildlife and animals and birds in the forest areas, but will also encourage farmers to opt for double cropping which will eventually help to increase the biodiversity.
The Chief Minister gave instructions for plantation of fruit-bearing trees in the forests. Referring to the launch of C-Mart at Kondagaon, Kanker, and Bijapur during the Bhent-Mulaqat Abhiyan, he said that it is necessary to keep a check that prices of products here are less than the market price. Referring to the work of Mahua collection through nets started in some districts, Mr. Baghel said that Mahua collectors are getting good benefit from this, on the same lines; Char-Chironji should also be collected through nets. Char-Chironji gets a good price in the market. At present, people cut a tree trunk to collect char; it should be ensured that no tree is cut in the process.
Chief Minister Mr. Baghel said that three and a half years ago in Chhattisgarh, we started building a strong economy based on forest and forest produce parallel to agriculture, so that our rural and forest dwellers can get double benefits. I am happy that we have achieved great success on both fronts. On one hand our agriculture ecosystem has strengthened while on the other hand the income from forest and forest produce has also increased. We have taken several initiatives to make forest produce the new power of the villagers.
Presiding over the programme, Forest Minister Mr. Akbar said that Narva Vikas is a multi-use scheme for reviving the drains and streams and conservation and augmentation of groundwater resources. For the successful implementation of the scheme, the programme should be continuously monitored. For this, preparations are also being made to assess the increase in water level and increase in irrigation area as a result of Narva development works. Forest Minister Mr. Akbar said that keeping in view the interest of forest dwellers, continuous efforts are being made to ensure that they get maximum benefits from the collection of minor forest produce and its processing. As a result of these meaningful efforts, Chhattisgarh has topped in the country in terms of collection of minor forest produce. At present, about three-fourth of the country’s minor forest produce is collected in Chhattisgarh.
Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Chandradev Rai, Chief Minister’s Advisor Mr. Vinod Verma, State Mineral Development Corporation Chairman Mr. Girish Devangan, Forest and Climate Change Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Subrat Sahoo, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Chief of Forest Force) Mr. Rakesh Chaturvedi, Narva, Garwa, Ghurwa, Bari Yojana Nodal Officer Dr. Ayyaz Fakir Bhai Tamboli, State Minor Forest Produce Association Managing Director Mr. Sanjay Shukla, Chief Executive Officer (CAMPA) Mr. V. Srinivasa Rao, Additional Managing Director Mr. S.S. Bajaj, Mr. Anand Babu and CAMPA Steering and Implementation Committee members Mr. G.S. Dhananjay, Mr. Pankaj Bandhav, Mr. Vashiullah Sheikh, Mrs. Lakshmi Sahu, Mr. M. Suraj and departmental officers were present on the occasion.
On the occasion of the launch of Narva development works, the Chief Minister held discussion with the villagers and public representatives participated in the programme from village Bhothi of Kabirdham district, Bhauta village of Manendragarh, Dantewada and Mahasamund through video conferencing. Parliamentary Secretary Mr. Vinod Sevan Lal Chandrakar was present in Mahasamund and MLA Mrs. Devati Karma was present in Dantewada.
