Raipur– The Department of Forest and Climate Change of the Government of Chhattisgarh has sent children from remote villages within the Achanakmar Tiger Reserve in Lorra for better self-employment training in Bhilai. Last year, under the leadership of Field Director S. Jagdishan and Deputy Director Nayar Vishnu Rajendran, 23 tribal children from the villages covered under the ATREE program were sent to Bhilai for livelihood training, with all of them now successfully employed in various organizations.
Building on this success, 21 more children have been sent for livelihood training in Bhilai. Through the combined efforts of ATREE management in Lorra and the ICICI Foundation for Livelihood in Bhilai, this is the third consecutive time children have been sent for quarterly training. The Bhilai-based Livelihood Training Institute provides training to children in five necessary courses, including uniforms and toolkits, all free of cost.
Additionally, the trainers’ accommodation, meals, pocket money, etc., are arranged completely free of charge by the ATREE management in Lorra. In today’s times, where job acquisition is difficult, ATREE provides free employment to tribal children from remote villages, which is a commendable initiative. If such efforts continue consistently, not only will the employment problem be alleviated, but there will also be greater participation in better management of forests and wildlife.
This initiative by ATREE management is a better example of community stewardship in community forestry and protected area management. The above initiative is being carried out under the skilled guidance and direction of Field Director Manoj Pandey, Deputy Director Ganesh UR, Assistant Director Sanjay Luther, Range Officer Amit Roshan, Vikrant Kumar, and other officials and employees, who have provided constant support.