Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society (OFSDS) organized a one day Workshop on Operationalizing SHGs

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Forestry Sector Development Society (OFSDS) organized a one day Workshop on Operationalizing SHGs and identification of Income Generation Activities under Odisha Forestry Development Project, Phase-II in its project areas on 14th January 2019 at Bhubaneswar. The workshop was graced by Shri L.K.Tewari,IFS Principal Chief Conservator (Projects)-cum-Project Director, OFSDS as Chief Guest. Dr. Sudarshan Panda, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest-cum –RCCF, Angul, Shri Sashi Paul, IFS, Additional PCCF-cum-RCCF, Baripada, Shri Sushanta Nanda, IFS, Project Director, ICZMP –cum-Chief Executive of Chilika Development Authority(CDA), Dr. Meeta Biswal,IFS Additional Project Director, OFSDP-II, Dr. P.R.Karat, IFS Joint Project Director of OFSDP-II and Shri Abhiram Nayak, IFS, RCCF, Bhawanipatna along with all DFOs-cum-Divisional Management Unit Chiefs of OFSDP, Phase -II were present in this workshop.

Inaugurating the Workshop, PD, OFSDS, Shri L.K.Tewari stated that, the OFSDP, Phase-II is focusing on sustainable income generation activities of forest dwellers to offer them an alternate source of livelihood to ensure the safety and regeneration of forests in the selected areas. He also emphasized that OFSDP, Phase-II has proposed from the beginning that the IGAs of SHGs will the major activity and it will ensure that the convergence activities will bring out the desired output for the project community.

Under OFSDP Phase –II it has been planned to organize 3600 SHGs in the 1200 identified Vana Surakhya Samitis (VSSs) of 12 Forest Divisions of the State to support the livelihood of the communities during the project period. Women SHGs under OFSDP-II are envisaged to be the engine of women empowerment and family well-being. Making advantage of the holistic micro plan and annual plan the women SHGs will also work on the health, nutrition and literacy aspects to cater their practical needs along with the income generation activities.

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