• Lakshmikant Kosariya, Deputy Director
Innovative Initiative for Empowering Tribal Youth in Chhattisgarh’s Forest Areas Under the Guidance of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai
The Green Skill Development Program is instrumental in preserving traditional knowledge of flora and fauna and enhancing employment opportunities for the youth.
Raipur >> The Chhattisgarh Forest Department is consistently undertaking significant initiatives to protect the interests of tribal forest dwellers and to conserve the environment and wildlife. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the youth of tribal communities and the need for biodiversity conservation. Under their visionary leadership, a comprehensive strategy has been devised to empower these communities and preserve the rich natural heritage of Chhattisgarh.
Recently, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department has initiated a unique skill development training program under the Green Skill Development Program launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India. This innovative initiative aims to make the tribal youth residing in the forest areas of Chhattisgarh self-reliant by providing them with special training and certification. Under this program, the youth are being trained in vital subjects like parataxonomy, which is essential for biodiversity conservation.
Parataxonomy is a method that involves the rapid identification and classification of various species for biological research. This method is particularly useful in biodiversity-rich areas like Chhattisgarh. After completing this training, the trained youth can work in various professions such as national park guides, tourist guides, nature camp managers, and traditional healers, and can also find employment opportunities in organizations like the Botanical Survey of India and the Zoological Survey of India.
Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, numerous schemes have been formulated for the welfare of tribal communities in our state. These are being implemented effectively, ensuring timely benefits for all. Chief Conservator of Forests of Chhattisgarh, Shri V. Srinivas Rao, shared the concept behind this training program, saying that this initiative is a significant step towards involving local communities in the biodiversity conservation of Chhattisgarh. This training not only enhances employment opportunities for the youth but also provides a chance to preserve traditional knowledge of local flora and fauna and pass it on to the next generation.
Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board, Rakesh Chaturvedi, emphasized the broader impact of this initiative, stating that it is not just a training course but a transformative opportunity for the tribal youth of Chhattisgarh. By providing skills in parataxonomy, we are promoting a generation that is not only knowledgeable about their environment but also committed to its conservation. Member Secretary of the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board, 
Rajesh Kumar Chandele, IFS, highlighted the crucial role of parataxonomy in environmental conservation, stating that by identifying bio-indicator plants, parataxonomy aids in ecosystem monitoring and resource conservation.
Out of the 53 participants in this training, 40 were tribal youths with educational backgrounds ranging from 10+2 to graduates, coming from various forest divisions such as Kanker, Kondagaon, Keshkal, Bhanupratappur, and Narayanpur. This training program was conducted at the Chhattisgarh State Forest Research and Training Institute from July 22 to August 18. During the 30-day training, participants engaged in both classroom teaching and fieldwork, visiting sites like Jungle Safari, Mohrega, Sirpur, Arjuni, Barnawapara, and Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary to identify and document various species. During the training, 93 types of macro fungi, 153 types of flora, 47 medicinal plants, and 187 types of seeds were identified and documented.
This training has proved highly beneficial for the participants. Senior Scientist of the Chhattisgarh State Biodiversity Board, Dr. Neetu Harmukh, played a crucial role in this training. She mentioned that all participants were eager and keen to learn the skills in parataxonomy. A 24-year-old tribal youth from Dumarpani village in Kanker district, Tribhuvan Kumar Karga, shared his experience, stating, “After receiving training in ‘parataxonomy,’ my confidence has certainly increased. New avenues for income generation have now opened up for me.” Similarly, Rakesh Netam, a 39-year-old participant from the tribal community of Murdova Charama, Kanker district, said, “This training has provided us with the knowledge to understand the biodiversity of our forests. Now I feel a significant responsibility towards the conservation of natural resources.”
Tribal women have also greatly benefited from this program. A 22-year-old woman from Baderajpur Vishrampuri village in Kondagaon district, Ms. Divya Markam, said, “As a woman from a tribal area, educational and employment opportunities have been limited. This training in parataxonomy has provided me with a new experience, which will offer us new employment opportunities and also help in the empowerment of tribal women. Additionally, it will aid in the conservation of the region’s biodiversity.”
Given the success of this training, the Chhattisgarh Forest Department plans to expand the program to other parts of the state, such as Jagdalpur, Sarguja, Bilaspur, and Durg. Furthermore, the department intends to utilize the participants from the first batch as master trainers for future parataxonomy training sessions, ensuring not only experience and employment opportunities for the initial batch but also the continuity and sustainability of the program.
This training program has already shown significant results in biodiversity conservation. Participants have identified and documented several rare plant and animal species in their local areas, including a unique turtle with a yellow shiny shell (Lissemys Punctata) and rare plants such as Gloriosa superba, Ophioglossum, and Nervelia.
This effort to empower the tribal youth of Chhattisgarh and preserve the state’s rich biodiversity has ensured that our natural heritage will remain safe for future generations.
