With the forest department proposing to set up a shopping complex for them at Gandhi Park, the tribals in Coimbatore forest division may soon be able to sell their artefacts in the city.
They would set it up under the joint forest management programme aimed at improving the socio-economic life of tribals and encouraging partnerships between the state forest department and local communities.
The forest department had previously sought the participation of tribals in eco tourism. "But this is a first of its kind initiative in the state where tribals of over 60 villages will get a chance to sell their products at the centre of the city," said a forest official.
"We will send the proposal to the government this year and hopefully set up the complex next year. Funds will not be an issue as the JFM programme could be utilized for this purpose," said the official.
There are over six forest ranges in the Coimbatore division. As per the forest officials, around 80 people who had set up temporary tenements and began residing on the 25 cents of forest land at Gandhi Park were asked to vacate the place.
The land, on which 110 houses were built in 2010, had also been fenced. The houses were demolished and the land was cleared. But the department did not fence it," said C Dinesh Kumar, forest range officer, Boluvampatti range. This led to slum dwellers and road side beggars setting up tenements on the land. "We vacated them a week ago and have set up a fence around the land. Now we plan to set up a shopping complex under the joint forest management programme," said Kumar.
Forest officials said tribals residing in the six forest ranges that come under Coimbatore division are involved in the manufacture of several products. "They are good at handicraft and sell their products to retailers. They also make many other products but have not found the right way to market them," said a senior forest official.
The shopping complex will help tribals sell their products, giving them a platform to improve their socio-economic status.
They would set it up under the joint forest management programme aimed at improving the socio-economic life of tribals and encouraging partnerships between the state forest department and local communities.
The forest department had previously sought the participation of tribals in eco tourism. "But this is a first of its kind initiative in the state where tribals of over 60 villages will get a chance to sell their products at the centre of the city," said a forest official.
"We will send the proposal to the government this year and hopefully set up the complex next year. Funds will not be an issue as the JFM programme could be utilized for this purpose," said the official.
There are over six forest ranges in the Coimbatore division. As per the forest officials, around 80 people who had set up temporary tenements and began residing on the 25 cents of forest land at Gandhi Park were asked to vacate the place.
The land, on which 110 houses were built in 2010, had also been fenced. The houses were demolished and the land was cleared. But the department did not fence it," said C Dinesh Kumar, forest range officer, Boluvampatti range. This led to slum dwellers and road side beggars setting up tenements on the land. "We vacated them a week ago and have set up a fence around the land. Now we plan to set up a shopping complex under the joint forest management programme," said Kumar.
Forest officials said tribals residing in the six forest ranges that come under Coimbatore division are involved in the manufacture of several products. "They are good at handicraft and sell their products to retailers. They also make many other products but have not found the right way to market them," said a senior forest official.
The shopping complex will help tribals sell their products, giving them a platform to improve their socio-economic status.