Raipur. Forest and Climate Change, Transport, Cooperation and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kedar Kashyap said that under the inspiration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is continuously moving forward with the resolve of Green Chhattisgarh – Prosperous Chhattisgarh. For the government, forest conservation does not only mean protection of forests, but also prosperity of forest dwellers, preservation of tribal culture, increase in farmers' income, employment for women and youth, wildlife conservation and ensuring better forest management through modern technology.

Addressing a press conference held at the auditorium of Chhattisgarh Samvad in Nava Raipur, Minister Kashyap gave detailed information about the achievements of the Forest and Climate Change Department and the innovations being undertaken by the government. Kisan Vriksha Mitra Yojana increases both farmers' income and greenery.
Minister Kashyap said that the government has made an important effort to link tree plantation with farmers' income. Under Kisan Vriksha Mitra Yojana, eligible citizens are given 100 percent financial subsidy up to 5 acres and 50 percent financial subsidy for areas more than 5 acres.

Over the past two years, more than 36.75 million saplings have been planted on 62,441 acres of agricultural land belonging to 36,896 beneficiaries. This is providing farmers with an additional source of income in the future and also helping to increase the state's green cover.

Historic decision in the interest of tendu leaf collectors.
Minister Kashyap said that in Chhattisgarh, forests and forest-dependent communities are complementary to each other. Therefore, the government is giving top priority to forest conservation and the welfare of forest produce collectors and their families. The tendu leaf collection rate in the state is Rs 5,500 per standard bag.

In the year 2025, 11.44 lakh families collected 13.85 lakh standard bags of tendu leaves, for which online payment of Rs 757 crore was made. Along with this, incentive remuneration of Rs 153 crore was paid to 7.14 lakh collectors. Charan Paduka has been distributed to 12.40 lakh women collectors of the state, while in the year 2026, distribution of Charan Paduka is proposed to 12.38 lakh male collectors.

Economic support to thousands of families through forest produce:
36 thousand 580 quintals of forest produce were purchased at the support price and online payment of Rs 16.66 crore was made to the collectors, benefiting more than 13 thousand collector families. Under Rajmohini Devi Suraksha Yojana, Rs 26.08 crore was paid in 1,862 cases. At the same time, scholarship of Rs 12.07 crore has been provided to 8 thousand 533 students of tendu leaf collector families. Minister Kashyap informed that 13 new tendu leaf phads have also been started in Abujhmad in the year 2026.

More than 70 thousand women linked to livelihood
More than 70 thousand members of more than 6 thousand women self-help groups have been benefited through collection and processing of minor forest produce under Pradhan Mantri Janjati Vikas Mission and PM Janman Yojana. More than Rs 5 crore commission has been given to women groups associated with Van Dhan Kendras. 181 types of herbal products were manufactured in Van Dhan Kendras, whose value was Rs 4.42 crore.

In Dhamtari district, women's groups have planted khas (sweet pudding) on ​​120 acres of Mahanadi riverbank and unused panchayat land. 1,854 women from 65 villages in Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi, Bilaspur, Kanker, Dhamtari, and Korba have planted 64,798 sindoori and 748,092 asparagus plants in their fields.

New doors of development and employment are opening with peace in Bastar.
Minister Kashyap stated that over the past two years, security has improved significantly in the Maoist-affected areas of the Bastar region. As a result, the Forest Department is now resuming forestry and logging operations even in highly sensitive areas. Forestry operations, including timber and bamboo logging, will be conducted in remote forest areas of Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, and Kanker. These operations are expected to generate a total of 21.67 lakh man-days of employment. This will provide local employment, reduce migration, and strengthen people's connection to water, forest, land, and the culture of Bastar.