Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched the State specific scheme, Mo Jungle Jami Yojana, through video conferencing mode.
MJJY is a special initiative towards recognition and promotion of Regenerative Economies in Scheduled areas, land and Resource Rights of Indigenous People.
Mo Jungle Jami Yojana of Odisha is the only programme in the country which will complement the efforts in forest-based livelihood by promoting individual and collective action including environmental conservation and preservation. This is a special initiative towards recognition and promotion of regenerative economies in scheduled areas ensuring land and resource rights to indigenous people, said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister expressed hope that this scheme will create a milestone in the development of tribals with the cooperation of all.
The aim of the scheme is to ensure forest land rights to all eligible individuals and communities. Along with this, all development programs will be linked to this plan and steps will be taken to create stability in the livelihood of the tribals. Unsurveyed forest villages will be given the status of revenue villages.
Addressing the officials and tribals present on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the aim of his Government is to reach all the eligible beneficiaries through this scheme. He said that steps are being taken to ensure that not a single eligible person is deprived of the scheme.
Stating that it is a good scheme, Shri Patnaik said that the aim of this scheme is to recognize the contribution of tribals towards the sustainable development of forest resources. It will also help in bringing stability to climate change and the economy and livelihood of tribals, he added.
Stating that Odisha is a leading State in providing forest land rights, the CM said that so far 4.50 lakh tribal and forest-dwelling families have been given forest land rights.
Similarly, more than 4000 Gram Sabhas have been given community rights. Along with this, the process to give the status of revenue villages to the unsurveyed forest villages is also going on, he said.
Stating that his government has been committed to the welfare of tribals since very beginning, he said that when his government first took charge of the service in Odisha in 2000, the first important decision of his government was to grant the right to collect minor forest produce to the panchayats. A lot of work has been done in this direction today. The tribals have improved in education, health and various other fields.
SC, ST Development Minister Jagannath Saraka said that the aim of this scheme is to recognize the rights of tribals as managers of forest land. Steps have been taken to streamline the process and give rights to eligible persons within the specified time frame.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallik, Forest and Environment Minister Pradeep Kumar Amat, Additional Chief Secretary, Forest, Environment and Climate Change & Revenue, Satyabrata Sahu, representatives of UNDP, NGO Basundhara, Bhen and tribal stakeholders of various districts were present in this program.
Development Commissioner Anu Garg said that granting rights over forest land is a major achievement of the State Government. The new plan provides for the inclusion of tribals in all development plans along with the protection of their cultural diversity.
Roopa Roshan Sahu, Secretary, SC, ST Development Department delivered the welcome address while the vote of thanks was offered by Director, Tribal Affairs, Indramani Tripathi.
