Odisha govt launches Banayana for sustainable forest management

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday launched ‘Banayana’ for sustainable management of forest and bio-diversity.

This new project Banayana would be implemented in 14 Forest and Wildlife Divisions of the state, covering 10 districts, with the active participation of twelve hundred Vana Surakshya Samitis (VSSs) with an outlay of Rs 1,000 crore for a period of 10 years.

“This JICA supported project is the first 3rd generation forestry sector project in India. It envisages sustainable management of forest and bio-diversity along with adoption of best available technology and practices,” said the Chief Minister.

He said the most important aspect of this project would be active community engagement to transform them from resource users to resource managers.

He said that the project would bring in a paradigm shift in forest management by acknowledging crucial role of women in sustainable management of forest.

As many as thirty-six hundred women Self Help Groups would be supported under this project to facilitate them to pursue viable income generation activities, he said.