Bhopal. Forest fairs will be organized in every district of the state. Forest and Environment Minister Nagar Singh Chauhan announced this while addressing the closing ceremony of the state level forest fair. He said that he attended the Forest Fair for the first time and was overwhelmed to see the herbs and herbal products collected by the tribal brothers. Forest Minister Shri Chouhan said that more than 50 thousand people participated in the forest fair and in just four days the sale of herbal products reached about 60 lakhs. He said that health check-up of about 10 thousand people was done by knowledgeable doctors in the fair.
The Forest Minister said that the information people got about herbs through the fair will increase their inclination towards adopting Ayurveda. Also, tribal families will get continuous opportunities to earn their livelihood.
Social Justice and Horticulture Minister Shri Narayan Singh Kushwaha said that the tribal families who collect herbs from the forests of remote areas have to work hard. He said that the scientists of the Forest Department test and process the herbs and prepare medicines, which are beneficial for the health of the people. He said that the public should get the benefit of these medicines and the tribals should be empowered.
Minister of State for Forest and Environment, Shri Dilip Ahirwar said that the tribal collectors coming to the forest fair get recognition and a platform is available to them for selling forest medicines. The Minister of State for Forest and Environment said that the dream of welfare of the poor in the ambitious schemes of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi takes concrete form through such fairs. He said that he felt happy after seeing the artefacts and paintings in the stalls. Minister Shri Ahirwar said that through important events the state will chart new paths of development and reach the pinnacle of success.
In the closing ceremony of the Van Mela, awards were distributed by Forest Minister Chauhan, Horticulture Minister Kushwaha and Minister of State for Forests Ahirwar, in which the best exhibit, best seller and best decoration were given. MFP PARC, Social Forestry and Biodiversity Board was awarded the best exhibition. District Union Satna and BDVK North Seoni were awarded the best vendors. District Union Sehore and BDVK Alirajpur were awarded the best decoration. Madhya Pradesh Eco Tourism Board was given a special incentive award at the fair for their exhibition and tiger conservation efforts. For the purpose of tiger conservation, an interesting street play was presented and the oath “I am also a tiger” was administered to the guests and visitors. The exhibitions organized by Eco-Tourism, Forest Produce Association, Van Vihar of the Forest Department were also rewarded. Food stall Dal-Paniye of Alirajpur was given a special award. The honorable guests were welcomed by Vibhash Kumar Thakur, Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh State Minor Forest Produce Association, by giving memento.
