Chhattisgarh Forest Department: Championing Tribal Interests and Biodiversity Conservation

Raipur, 25 August 2024

The Chhattisgarh Forest Department has long been committed to promoting the interests of tribal forest dwellers and undertaking initiatives that foster environmental and wildlife conservation in the state. The Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Hon’ble Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap, deeply connected to the tribal communities they represent, have shown a profound understanding of the unique challenges faced by local tribal youth and the urgent need for biodiversity conservation. Their visionary leadership has resulted in a comprehensive strategy aimed at uplifting these communities through targeted development initiatives and efforts to preserve the region’s rich natural heritage.

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In line with this vision, the CG Forest Department has recently launched a pioneering skill development training program under the Green Skill Development Programme, initiated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India. This initiative is specifically designed to empower tribal youth, particularly those living in Chhattisgarh’s forested regions, by offering specialized training and certification in para taxonomy—a vital discipline for biodiversity conservation.

The program aims to foster self-reliance among these young individuals by creating income-generating opportunities and opening up new career paths. These roles include positions as national park guides, tourist guides, nature camp managers, traditional healers, and opportunities with the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India. Furthermore, the trained youth are expected to play key roles in Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) and contribute significantly to ecotourism initiatives, thereby advancing sustainable development in the region.

Para taxonomy, a method used in biological research, allows for the rapid categorization and identification of various specimens such as flora, fauna, birds, and butterflies. This is especially useful in biodiversity-rich regions like Chhattisgarh. Individuals trained as parataxonomists can sort and classify specimens based on physical traits without needing formal training as taxonomists. This approach is vital for accelerating biodiversity assessments and cataloging, including the use of advanced techniques like geo-tagging and barcoding for species documentation.

Shri V. Sreenivasa Rao, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), articulated the vision behind the training program, emphasizing that the initiative is a crucial step towards involving local communities in the biodiversity conservation of Chhattisgarh. “The training empowers the youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect and manage our forests, which are vital for maintaining ecological balance. By training young parataxonomists, we are not only enhancing their employment prospects but also ensuring that traditional knowledge about local flora and fauna is preserved and passed on to future generations,” he said.

Adding to this, Shri Rakesh Chaturvedi, Chairman of the CG State Biodiversity Board, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative. He stated, “This program is more than just a training course—it’s a transformative opportunity for the tribal youth of Chhattisgarh to become stewards of their environment. By equipping them with skills in para taxonomy, we are fostering a generation that is both knowledgeable about and committed to preserving the rich biodiversity of our state.”

The program also underscores the importance of para taxonomy in environmental conservation. Shri Rajesh Kumar Chandele, IFS, Member Secretary of the CG State Biodiversity Board, noted its role in leveraging local knowledge to quickly classify species, protect sacred groves and heritage trees, document biodiversity using both local and scientific names, and conserve Rare, Endangered, and Threatened (RET) species. “By identifying bio-indicator plants and promoting sustainable harvesting, para taxonomy aids in ecosystem monitoring and resource conservation,” he explained.

The training, organized in Raipur by the State Biodiversity Board and the State Forest Research & Training Institute, in collaboration with the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India, attracted 53 participants, including 40 tribal youth from forested areas. These trainees, whose educational backgrounds ranged from 10+2 to bachelor’s degrees, came from various forest divisions such as Kanker, Kondagaon, Keshkal, Bhanupratappur, and Narayanpur. Notably, there was no fee for the training.

Over 30 days, the trainees engaged in both classroom instruction and fieldwork, visiting multiple sites, including Jungle Safari, Moharenga, Sirpur, Arjuni, Barnawapara, and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary. During these field trips, they applied their learning to identify and catalog a variety of species. They documented 93 species of macrofungi, 153 species of flora, 47 species of medicinal plants, and 187 species of seeds, among others.

The impact of the training on the participants has been significant. Dr. Neetu Harmukh, a senior scientist at the CG State Biodiversity Board who played a pivotal role in the training, observed, “All the participants were enthusiastic and keen to learn the skills in Para Taxonomy.” Tribhuvan Kumar Karga, a 24-year-old tribal youth from Dumarpani village in Kanker District, shared his experience: “After getting training in Para Taxonomy, my confidence has certainly enhanced. New avenues are now open for me for income generation.”

This sentiment was echoed by Rakesh Netam, a 39-year-old resident of Muddhova village in Charama, Kanker District. He expressed, “The training has given me the knowledge to understand and appreciate the biodiversity of our forests. I now feel a strong sense of responsibility towards conserving our natural resources.”

Women in the community have also greatly benefited. Ms. Divya Markam, a 22-year-old tribal woman from Baderajpur Vishrampuri village in Kondagaon District, highlighted the unique opportunities the program has provided. “As a woman from a tribal area, opportunities for specialized education and employment have been limited. This training has given me a sense of purpose and the skills needed to make a difference in my community and beyond. It’s not just about employment; it’s about empowerment and preserving our way of life,” she remarked.

Recognizing the success of this initial training, the CG Forest Department plans to expand the program to other parts of the state, such as Jagdalpur, Sarguja, Bilaspur, and Durg. Shri Rajesh Chandele expressed the department’s broader vision: “Our aim is to provide sustainable livelihood opportunities while fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the region’s rich biodiversity among the local youth across the state.”

Additionally, the Forest Department has planned to utilize the services of the participants from the first batch as master trainers for upcoming training sessions on Para Taxonomy. This approach not only benefits the first batch participants by enhancing their experience and employment prospects but also ensures the continuity and sustainability of the program.

The training program has already shown significant results in biodiversity conservation. Participants have identified and documented numerous rare plant and animal species in their local regions, including the unique turtle with a bright yellow shell (Lissemys Punctata), protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, and rare plants like Gloriosa superba, Ophioglossum, and Nervelia.

The enthusiasm and commitment of the participants clearly demonstrate the success of this training program. By equipping young people with skills in para taxonomy, the initiative not only enhances their employment prospects but also ensures the preservation of traditional knowledge about local flora and fauna. This program represents a significant step forward in both empowering the youth of Chhattisgarh and conserving the state’s rich biodiversity, ensuring that these natural treasures are preserved for generations to come.