VFCs & SHGs to be trained to make handicrafts items using Pine Needles.

SHYAM SOOD
RAJOURI SEPTEMBER 16:-– Pine (Chir in local language) Needles (PNs) are the main cause of Forest fire, especially during the summer season for which Pine needles act as fuel.
Forest fire poses a threat not only to the forest wealth, but also to the entire regime to fauna and flora seriously disturbing the biodiversity and the ecology and environment of a region.
Efforts are being made to use PNs as raw material in making handicraft items. In one such effort training session was conducted in Sunderbani Forest Range for the locals so that they can generate livelihood and forest fires can be prevented.
The project is being implemented under the direct supervision of B. Mohandas, Conservator of Forest West Circle Rajouri; Suresh Manda, Divisional Forest Officer Nowshera & Rakesh Verma Range Officer, Sunderbani.
Every year forest fires occur in Nowshera Forest Division, causing loss of forest and wildlife.
Collection and processing of needles would help in the prevention of forest fires thus averting possible disasters.
The Sunderbani Range of Nowshera Forest Division has already started the preparation of handicraft items using Pine Needles and is now training the locals to enable them to take benefit of this skill.
A number of items such as Baskets, Trays, and Hats have been made using dry PNs by involving the Village Forest Committee (VFC) of Brevi.
Training is being imparted to the participants by a forest Guard namely Kala Khan, who has developed the skill of manufacturing Chir (Pine) Needle Handicrafts (CNHs).
“Salheri and Brevi VFCs have been selected for taking up the innovative work as a pilot project. To start with a self-help group (SHG) of 10 women has been constituted at Brevi, who are preparing the handicraft items,” said a senior Forest Officer.
Suresh Manda is supervising the training and has held a series of interactions with the members of SHG and members of VFC.
“All possible help will be provided to the SHGs by the Forest department. The Forest Department is also working towards Market linkage of SHGs for the marketing of the CNHs,” said Suresh Manda.
”Our core trainers have also prepared bio briquettes using Pine Needles at Range Office Sunderbani. VFCs were shown the samples of bio briquettes as well as the items prepared by SHG out of Pine Needles” he added