Gandhinagar: In alignment with the nationwide approach to promote women-led development, the South Dang Forest Division has effectively implemented the Lakhpati Didi Yojana, empowering tribal women through sustainable livelihoods and self-employment opportunities through nursery cultivation. With the central objective of enabling women to earn ₹1 lakh annually, the scheme offers training, financial support, and direct engagement in raising saplings, the Gujarat government said today.

An official press release said, “In the financial year 2023–24 alone, 8,50,000 saplings were successfully raised by the Self Help Groups. As many as 40 women directly benefited from this initiative, receiving cumulative payments of ₹35 lakhs across different forest ranges. These are not just numbers—they represent families who now have stable incomes, children who can continue their education, and communities that are beginning to flourish.”

Under this initiative, payments for their work are made directly into their accounts by the forest department, ensuring transparency and autonomy. Also, awareness camps were organized to inform women, where they received hands-on training in essential nursery practices such as seed sowing, pruning, fertilizer usage, and water management. Beyond this, the women were also educated in banking, accounting, and financial planning.

The government also stated that this initiative has not only greened the South Dang region but also contributed to broader environmental conservation efforts. This eco-restoration is likely to have long-term benefits for local biodiversity and climate resilience. DeshGujarat