Kisan Vriksh Mitra Scheme Covers 62,441 Acres; Over 3.67 Crore Saplings Planted, Tiger Population Rises from 18 to 35
Published on: September 01, 2026
By: BTNI
Location- Raipur/Nava Raipur, India
Chhattisgarh Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap on Tuesday highlighted the state government’s efforts to combine forest conservation with livelihood opportunities, tribal welfare, wildlife protection and modern forest management.
Addressing journalists at the Chhattisgarh Samvad auditorium in Nava Raipur, Kashyap said the government, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, is working with the vision of a “Green Chhattisgarh, Prosperous Chhattisgarh.”
He said forest conservation cannot be limited to protecting forests alone. The government’s approach also focuses on improving the prosperity of forest-dependent communities, protecting tribal culture, increasing farmers’ incomes, creating employment opportunities for women and youth, conserving wildlife and using technology for better forest management.
Kisan Vriksh Mitra Scheme Benefits Farmers
Kashyap said the government has linked plantation activities with farmers’ income through the Kisan Vriksh Mitra Yojana.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive 100 per cent financial assistance for plantations on land up to five acres, while 50 per cent financial assistance is provided for areas exceeding five acres.
Over the past two years, more than 3.675 crore saplings have been planted across 62,441 acres of agricultural land belonging to 36,896 beneficiaries, according to the figures shared by the minister.
Tendu Leaf Collectors Receive ₹757 Crore Through Online Payments
The minister said Chhattisgarh offers a tendu leaf collection rate of ₹5,500 per standard bag, among the highest in the country.
In 2025, around 11.44 lakh families collected 13.85 lakh standard bags of tendu leaves, for which ₹757 crore was paid online.
In addition, ₹153 crore in incentive remuneration was paid to 7.14 lakh collectors. Around 12.40 lakh women collectors have been provided footwear under the scheme, while the government has proposed distributing footwear to 12.38 lakh male collectors in 2026.
The state also procured 36,580 quintals of minor forest produce at support prices, with ₹16.66 crore paid online to collectors.
Under the Rajmohini Devi Suraksha Yojana, ₹26.08 crore has been paid in 1,862 cases. Scholarships worth ₹12.07 crore have also been provided to 8,533 students from tendu leaf collector families.
Forest Produce-Based Livelihoods for Women
Kashyap said more than 70,000 members of over 6,000 women’s self-help groups have benefited from the collection and processing of minor forest produce under the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission and PM JANMAN scheme.
Women’s groups associated with Van Dhan Kendras have received more than ₹5 crore in commissions. These centres have produced 181 varieties of herbal products with a reported value of ₹4.42 crore.
21.67 Lakh Person-Days of Employment Expected in Bastar
The minister said improved security conditions in Maoist-affected areas of Bastar have enabled the Forest Department to restart forestry and forest produce-related activities in highly sensitive areas.
Timber and bamboo harvesting activities are planned in remote forest areas of Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur, Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon and Kanker.
These activities are expected to generate around 21.67 lakh person-days of employment, with the government aiming to create local livelihood opportunities, reduce migration and strengthen communities’ connection with their land, forests and cultural heritage.
Roads and Connectivity in Remote Forest Areas
The government is also working to improve basic infrastructure such as roads, education, healthcare, electricity, drinking water and telecommunications in forest areas.
Under PM JANMAN, permissions have been granted in 20 cases covering 58.002 hectares and 99.995 kilometres of roads.
Under Section 3(2) of the Forest Rights Act, permissions have been issued in 417 cases following Gram Sabha recommendations for around 1,300 to 1,400 kilometres of roads.
Kashyap also said 59 out of 62 BSNL towers received forest-related permissions within a record 70 days.
Tiger Population Rises from 18 to 35
Highlighting achievements in wildlife conservation, Kashyap said the tiger population in Chhattisgarh has increased from 18 in 2022 to 35 in 2026, representing a reported 94 per cent increase.
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, spread across 2,829.387 square kilometres, has been described as the country’s third-largest tiger reserve.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority has approved the translocation of three tigers from Bandhavgarh. Enclosures and patrolling camps have already been prepared, with the relocation proposed after the monsoon.
Blackbuck Population Crosses 200 in Baranwapara
The minister said the blackbuck population in Baranwapara Wildlife Sanctuary has increased from 77 to more than 200.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also appreciated this conservation achievement during his Mann Ki Baat programme on April 26, 2026.
In the Indravati region, around 14-17 wild buffaloes are reported to exist naturally. The number of wild buffaloes brought from Assam has increased from six to 11.
The population of the state bird, the hill myna, has been recorded at around 800-900, while 250 nests have been identified under the Maina Mitra initiative.
Technology to Reduce Human-Elephant Conflict
The Forest Department is using technology and community participation to reduce human-elephant conflict through the Gaj Sanket app and Gajrath Yatra initiative.
According to the minister, elephant-related human casualties have declined over the years.
Around 90 Hathi Mitra teams comprising 545 trained members are conducting awareness campaigns in villages across the state.
The Gaj Sanket app was launched at Darbha on World Elephant Day, August 12, 2026. The initiative has also received a state-level Good Governance Award.
240 Nature Tourism Centres Developed
Chhattisgarh has developed 240 nature tourism centres, with more than 50 becoming financially self-sustaining.
Against a gross revenue target of ₹2.60 crore for major nature tourism centres, revenue of ₹2.21 crore has been recorded.
Dhudmaras in Bastar was highlighted as an example of community-based tourism, where a five-room homestay has been developed, generating 40 direct and 20 indirect employment opportunities.
The Shishupal Eco Trail in Mahasamund has been developed at a cost of ₹45 lakh.
Kanger Valley Moves Towards Global Recognition
Kashyap said the Kanger Valley National Park, spread across around 200 square kilometres, was included in UNESCO’s tentative list in 2025.
Known for its caves, Tirathgarh waterfall and rich biodiversity, the national park is being developed further as an important ecological and tourism destination.
Thirty-five Gypsy vehicles have been provided through revolving funds, creating direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 200 local youths.
Kopra Reservoir Becomes Chhattisgarh's First Ramsar Site
The minister said Kopra Reservoir in Bilaspur has been declared Chhattisgarh’s first Ramsar site.
Under Vision@2047, the state has set a target of developing 20 Ramsar sites by 2030.
Ground-truthing and boundary demarcation have been completed for 11,096 wetlands covering more than 2.25 hectares, while more than 500 Wetland Mitras are working across the state.
Digital Transformation in Forest Administration
The Forest Department has digitised its payment system end-to-end and integrated it with the Reserve Bank of India’s e-Kuber and the state’s e-Kosh platform.
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More than ₹1,520 crore was paid online during 2025-26, while ₹209 crore had already been paid online during 2026-27 up to August 2026.
Digital systems including SPARROW, eHRMS, e-Office and iGOT Karmayogi have also been implemented in the department.
Forest Fire Response Time Reduced to 5-10 Minutes
The state is using a modern Forest Fire Alert and Monitoring System to protect forests from fires.
The system provides near-real-time alerts, reducing the reported response time from one to two hours to around 5-10 minutes. The system is now being expanded to the beat level.
Government Links Conservation with Livelihoods
During the interaction with journalists, Minister Kedar Kashyap outlined a strategy that links forest conservation with livelihoods, employment, tribal welfare, wildlife protection, eco-tourism and digital governance.
The figures presented by the minister indicate that the state is expanding plantation programmes, forest produce-based livelihoods, wildlife conservation initiatives, nature tourism and technology-driven forest management while simultaneously focusing on economic opportunities for communities living in and around forest areas.
