Samiti managers to get honorarium of Rs 15, 000
Raipur, 21 March 2018
Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh today increased the monthly honorarium of Primary Forest Produce Co-Operative Samities’ managers from the present Rs 12, 000 to Rs 15 thousand. He also announced distribution of free cycles to 10 thousand Tendupatta clerks (munshis). He was speaking at the one-day workshop on the occasion of World Forestry Day in the capital. Forest Minister Mr. Mahesh Gaagda presided over the workshop. Padmabhushan awardee Mr. Chandi Prasad Bhatt was special guest.
Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh said that to save the existence of planet earth there is a need to conserve forests. The forests are needed for the livelihood of marginalized sections of the society living in far-flung regions. The forests are a good source of income apart from providing greenery to the vicinity. Forests cover 44 per cent land area in Chhattisgarh. Tribals living in the region are protecting forests. They do not damage the greenery. Their lives are dependent on forests. The tribals understand the importance of forests better than urban citizens.
Dr. Raman Singh said that forests give tribals saal, teak wood, mangoes, mahua for their survival. The forests give energy to body and soul. Referring to the Chief Minister’s official residence he said that there were only two tree fourteen years ago but now there are 400 trees giving the canopy of forests. Hundreds of birds chirp on these trees giving peace to body and soul. Trees give us all they have without even our asking.
Chief Minister said that trees are gifted as dowry during the marriages of tribals. Even if a person earns Rs one thousand per tree per annum then he can earn Rs Ten thousand from ten trees. Dr. Raman Singh said that the citizens need trees which grow fast by using tissue culture. The experiment had been successful in Bastar and Surguja. Cashew farming in Bastar and tea plantations in Surguja are highly successful. He expressed his satisfaction over the success of Saal nurseries.
Dr. Raman Singh added that the price of Tendupatta bag had been increased to Rs 2500 per bag. Such a huge hike had never been done before. The State Government had been providing financial assistance to the children of these workers in getting admission into medical, Engineering, Law and Nursing Colleges. Five crore trees can be saved after implementing the Prime Minister ‘Ujjwala’ project after one year.
Mr. Chandiprasad Bhatt said that the human beings are looking at conserving forests as environment is getting degraded at a rapid pace. He said that village forests should be developed where 50 per cent women should be associated with.
