Governor and Chief Minister inaugurate the 7-day International Forest Fair
- Madhya Pradesh’s forests, forest produce, and wild animals are the identity of the state:,Chief Minister Dr. Yadav
- Fair to be organized at Lal Parade Ground till 23rd December
Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel has said that Madhya Pradesh is a rich state in terms of forest wealth. There is a rich store of medicinal herbs here. The Covid pandemic has re-acquainted the world with the importance of Ayurveda. He praised the state government for distributing Ayurvedic kadha for the treatment of patients during the pandemic. Governor Shri Patel said that organizing the Forest Fair is a pleasant sign towards spreading awareness about the importance of forest resources, their conservation and promotion. Governor Shri Patel was addressing the inauguration programme of the 10th International Forest Fair.
On the occasion, Governor Shri Patel along with Chief Minister Dr. Yadav distributed incentive amount to the beneficiaries under Minor Forest Produce Association. The 10th International Forest Fair is being organized by the Forest and State Minor Forest Produce (Trade and Development) Cooperative Union from 17 to 23 December at Lal Parade Ground, Bhopal. The programme was presided over by Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav.
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that modern medical science has its own importance, but medicines obtained from forests have special utility. Ayurveda helped save people’s lives during the difficult times of Corona. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has promoted Indian medical systems. Now the importance of AYUSH has increased again in the medical world. In this regard, events like forest fairs hold great importance. In fact this International Forest Fair is unique. This fair started in 2001 and gradually it expanded beyond the state to the country and then became global. The fair has created its own identity. Generally, such expansion of fairs related to forests and forest resources is a matter of pride for all of us. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing the 10th International Forest Fair at Lal Parade Ground, Bhopal on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the forest wealth of our state is special. We are fortunate that our forest wealth and the internal environment of the forests are also special and the forests of the state have a distinct identity. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that wild animals are our forest wealth and maintain the beauty of the forests. We have successfully restored leopards in Madhya Pradesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi. All types of tigers, leopards and the cheetah have their importance in wildlife tradition. We are number one Tiger state in the country. It is a matter of pride for us that Madhya Pradesh has been selected for restoration. The leopards had completely disappeared from Asia. Forest department officers and employees also deserve congratulations for this. The Forest Department has done this unique experiment which is yielding good results. Gradually new guests are coming to our state. It seems that the environment of Madhya Pradesh has become favourable.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the forest dwellers of the state also make important contributions in protecting the forests.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Modi, a tripartite agreement was signed in Jaipur today for the important Parvati-Kali Sindh-Chambal project between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan from the point of view of irrigation, industrial sector and drinking water. 90 percent of the funds for the project will be provided by the Central Government.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the activities of Jan Kalyan Parv, which started on December 11, will continue till December 26. Every day a new gift is being given to the people of the state. The recently inaugurated sanctuary near the capital has been named after archaeologist Dr. Vishnu Shridhar Wakankar. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav called upon the citizens to buy the medicines displayed in the forest fair and get benefits. He congratulated the Forest Department for organizing the best event. Initially, Governor Shri Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Yadav presented cheques for the bonus of tendu leaf collection work for 2023 to 9 tendu leaf collectors from Raisen, Vidisha, Seoni, and other districts.
Minister of State for Forest Shri Dilip Ahirwar said that this fair is a symbol of divinity and grandeur. The state government has increased the honorarium of tendu leaf collectors from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 per standard bag. Important decisions have been taken in the department regarding compassionate appointments and accident relief amounts. MLA Shri Bhagwan Das Sabnani, Additional Chief Secretary Forest Shri Ashok Warnawal and Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Forest Force Chief Shri Aseem Srivastava were also present in the programme. At the outset, Shri Vibhash Thakur, MD of Minor Forest Produce Association, gave the welcome speech. Bamboo baskets and other forest products were given to the guests as souvenirs.
Governor Shri Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Yadav visited various stalls at the Forest Fair. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav met and spoke to the artists associated with tribal folk arts playing traditional musical instruments of their community.