Livelihood plan using pine needles postponed in Himachal

Shimla, July 1

The state government’s ambitious plans to help locals weave livelihood out of forest produce pine needles and farm-raised bamboo by making baskets and other household items has virtually been locked out because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Officials told IANS that a scheme to train locals to reuse pine needles, which are found in abundance in lower hills and are also mainly responsible for forest fires, had been postponed indefinitely. Likewise, training had also been rescheduled for fast-regenerating and versatile resource, bamboo, which could make important contributions to strengthening the local economy.

“We got the Central Government-funded projects for training women and unemployed youths for making toys and other household items by using pine needles and bamboo,” said Sanjeev Katwal, Vice-Chairman, Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation.

He said that this pine needle project would not only enhance their income, but also help in preventing forest fires, particularly in the summers.

Katwal said for the first time a training project was planned for a bamboo-based livelihood in rural communities on the pattern of northeastern states. This too has been postponed till the pandemic is over.

During the training, a stipend of Rs 7,500 was being provided per month to each participant.

Katwal said the pine needle and bamboo training projects would be launched again in potential areas, especially in Kangra, Hamirpur, Chamba, Solan and Bilaspur districts with the pandemic getting controlled. — IANS