GUWAHATI, Dec 26 - In order to facilitate and empower the forest communities to chart out a sustainable path of growth and income generation, products made by them under the brand �Banashristi� will be sold through 12 �Van Bazars� across the State.
The outlets will be set up under the Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC), co-funded by the French Development Agency, AFD-Ade Franchoise De Developpment.
A consortium named Consortium for Micro Planning and Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities (COMPELO) between the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati and Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi, was formed to implement the objectives of the project.
�The initiative will bring sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities to the forest inhabitants, thus reducing their dependence on forest resources and creating a positive impact on conservation of forest diversity as a whole,� said Manoj Kumar Das, Director, IIE Guwahati.
At a time when promotion of handloom and handmade products of the region is being confined only through exhibitions and fairs with limited outlets, the introduction of Van Bazars is likely to bolster the industry, said SM Deka, AFM, IIE.
�Due to limited outlets, this sector has not been able to grow. It needs continuous promotion and regular advertising campaigns to have a durable and effective impact of the products on the customers. Therefore, the Van Bazar concept emerges to fulfil this gap. A Van Bazar will act as a retail outlet for products of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs)/ Eco Development Committees (EDCs) in a broader way,� said Dr BJ Saud, Project Officer, IIE.
The IIE Guwahati has been looking after the livelihood aspects of households in 22 different trades including agarbatti making, bee keeping, areca leaf plate making, cane and bamboo products, candle making, among others.
