IMPHAL, Oct 14 - The Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram was inaugurated in Imphal on Monday.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said that under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Vikas Yojana, 75 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras would be opened that will transform the economy of the state.
Under the Yojana, the government will focus on collection and processing of eight non-timber forest products � hill broom, gooseberry, wild honey, mushroom, wild apple, bamboo shoot, Indian olive and turmeric.
He said the government was providing alternative livelihood to poppy farmers, and hoped that the Van Dhan Vikas Yojana would help such farmers. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for initiating welfare programmes for the North East and tribal people of the region.
