Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala forests department has come up with an initiative to support the members of the tribal communities, living in the forests, amid the lockdown measures in view of COVID-19 spread.
According to reports, the initiative termed 'Vanika' was introduced to procure the forest produce and make it available in the open markets. The pilot scheme has been launched in Kottur Agasthyavanam Biological Park.
Due to the lockdown, members of tribal communities find it hard to venture out and sell the produce. About 200 tribal families live in the 11 forest hamlets (Ooru) including Kottur and Mangodu.
The project intends to provide a platform to sell the mangoes, jackfruits, cashew nuts, honey and rubber sheets that these families collect from the forests. In association with the Eco-development committee, ‘Vanika’ also distributes these products to the people living in villages and towns.
Read: COVID-19 outbreak: Kerala tribal families shift to forests, river banks, caves
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Beat Forest Officer, Gopika said, "The forest department collects the forest produce and deliver it to people residing in the district. The customers can place their orders through a whatsapp group run by the department."
‘Vanika’ initiative, introduced in order to ensure food and financial security for the forest dwellers, amid COVID pandemic lockdown measures has been getting a good response among techies, social activists and entrepreneurs.
It also makes sure that they do not come into direct exposure with the people elsewhere, during the lockdown and stay safe where they are. The initiative will be expanded to other tribal regions.
The public can buy the produces collected from the tribal hamlets on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
