‘Vanamrut’ boosting livelihood of women

Training is being being given to women members on products

prepared from minor forest produce at Paoni centre.

Special Correspondent ;

Around 200 women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) from Paoni, unified area of Pench Tiger Reserve in territorial forest, and other nearby villages, are earning income through ‘Vanamrut’, a livelihood project, started by Forest Department to change their economic scenario.

The women from Paoni, Deolapar, Karwahi, Savangi, Salai, Ambazari and other villages prepare various products from Minor Forest Produce (MFP) at three units situated at Paoni, Deolapar and Savangi and sell them in the market. The products being manufactured under the project include: Juice, juice, candy, murabba, pickle, jam, powder, sauce, pulp etc from Amla, Bel, Imli, Jamun, Mahua, Neem, Palash, Karvand, Jack fruit, custard apple etc. Moreover, they are also making cloth bags, vermicompost, masks, papad and other materials. Dr Prabhu Nath Shukla, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Nagpur, who took initiative in starting the livelihood project, said on Friday, most of the MFPs collected in Nagpur Forest Division are sold to middlemen yielding very low return. Besides, unsustainable collection is leading forest destruction. Poverty and unemployment are leading to migration.

Furthermore, because of being situated in the corridors of Pench, Bor, Navegaon-Nagzira and Tadoba-Andhari tiger reserves and Umrer-Karhandla wildlife sanctuary, movement of wild animals is everywhere. During last three years, the department has witnessed about 16,000 cases of crop depredation, 1423 cattle deaths due to animal attacks. The long term solution to all these problems would be providing livelihood opportunities based on the forest. Besides, it will generate belongingness of community towards the forest which is very vital for long term conservation, he added. The department held meetings of SHG members to mobilise them and knowing their issues.

After detailed planning about village-wise availability of Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP), local market, consumer expectations etc., the project was started. Currently, 20 SHGs from nine villages are working, thereby providing employment to the women. Dr Shukla pointed out. Dr Shukla stated that instead of directly involving Joint Forest Management Committees, the porject involved SHGs which is more proactive in such programmes. Free collection of NTFP collection is being ensured to the women through agreement with JFMCs. As availability of NTFP is seasonal, few other non-forest products are also produced under Vanamrut to keep women engaged throughout the year, he said. When contacted, Khushboo Padmakar, President of SHG, Paoni, told ‘The Hitavada’ that the project started around two years provided much relief to women, who could now help financially in house-hold affairs. Some groups sold products worth over Rs one lakh and accordingly members get their share. The groups send products to Balodyan, Seminary Hills, Jan Van Shops and participated in exhibitions at different places. The department provided machines, bottles and other materials as well trainings to the SHGs, she added.