CG Indira Van Mitan Yojana 2023 (इंदिरा वन मितान योजना) has been launched by Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel. This scheme aims to make the forest dwellers self reliant or atmanirbhar and is announced on the occasion of World Tribal Day (विश्व आदिवासी दिवस). The forest produce (van upaj) would be given emphasis to improve conditions of adivasis. 1st phase of scheme was earlier launched on 9 August 2022. 
    
Under the Indira Van Mitan Yojna, groups of youth would be formed in around 10,000 villages of tribal area of Chhattisgarh. These youth groups will focus on conducting all forest based economic activities. 
The new doors will open for self employment and prosperity of forest dwellers through these groups of youths. In this article, we will tell you about the important features and how this scheme will work.

CG Indira Van Mitan Yojana 2023 (छत्तीसगढ़ इंदिरा वन मितान योजना)

Here are the important features and highlights of the CG Indira Mitan Yojana 2023:-
  • In this scheme, the Chhattisgarh govt. will make arrangements for procurement, processing and marketing of forest produce. 
  • वन उपज को बढ़ावा देने के लिए और उसके साथ साथ वनोपज के माध्यम से जो आदिवासी और किसान जो अपनी रोजी रोटी कमाते है, उन्हें फायदा मिलेगा।   
  • This would be done through groups of youths formed by the state government.
  • CG govt. has set a target of establishing forest produce processing centres in every tribal development block of the state. अनुसूचित क्षेत्र के विकासखंड में होगी वनोपज प्रसंस्करण केंद्र की स्थापना। 
  • CM mentioned that groups would be formed under CG Indira Van Mitan scheme in 10,000 villages of scheduled areas. 
In these youth groups, local tribal youth (आदिवासी युवा) will be given priority.

How CG Indira Van Mitan Scheme will benefit Forest Dwellers 

The Indira Van Mitan scheme in CG aims to add 19 lakh households belonging to scheduled areas. Through this scheme, youth groups would be empowered and they will perform the following 3 tasks:-
  1. Management of trees 
  2. Collection of the forest produce from the trees of the forest areas 
  3. Reaping economic benefits to benefit forest dwellers 
The purchase of forest produce will be arranged through the newly formed youth groups. These groups will ensure that the right price of forest produce is obtained.

Implementation Cost for Indira Van Mitan Yojna in CG State 

The estimated cost of a unit of Van Upaj Prasanskaran Kendra would be around Rs. 10 lakh. The CG state govt. will provide an amount of Rs. 8.50 crore for establishment of forest produce processing units. 

Accordingly, these Vanpopaj Prasanskaran Kendras will be established in 85 development blocks of scheduled areas. Then fruit and vegetation plants will be planted in the forests instead of timber, which can further increase the income of forest dwellers.

Need for Chhattisgarh Indira Van Mitan Yojana

CG Indira Van Mitan Yojana is a necessary scheme for forest dwellers to raise their income. CM Baghel mentioned that tribal society is the biggest protector of nature and natural resources. The close proximity of tribals to nature and balanced use of natural resources are essential for the better life of future generations. On the occasion of World Tribal Day on 9 Aug, the state govt. is considering all aspects of the interest of tribal society in a holistic manner.

CM has made an appeal to every member and organisations of tribal society to be vocal about their rights and opportunities for development. He also assures that the Chhattisgarh govt. is always with those who works for the welfare of tribal people. Due to the work, policies and decisions of CG govt, the attitude of tribal areas is changing rapidly. A new chapter on the rights of tribals on water, forest and land is being written.