IDUKKI: After the success of 'Chilla', an initiative launched by the Marayoor forest division for marketing the produces of tribespeople, the forest department has opened another provisional store in the region named 'Ila'.
According to forest officers, the new provisional store, opened near the 'Chilla' store, is expected to help the forest-dependent people of the region. Within one month, the Ila store is achieving a business of Rs 20,000 to 25,000 daily.
Chilla was set up eight years ago with an aim to provide the tribespeople with a regular income and reduce their dependence on forests.
MG Vinodkumar, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) at Marayoor Sandalwood Division, told TOI that the store aims to provide all provisional items to the tribes and forest-dependent people in the region at a low price.
"No profit and no loss is the motto of the store. State forest development agency provided Rs 10 lakh as a grant for the initiative. Within one month, the store has achieved a business of around Rs 25,000 per day and we hope it will double within the next few months," said the officer.
"The provisional store provides credit facility to tribal farmers who provide agricultural products to the Chilla market. In addition, the credit facility is also available to protection watchers," said Vinod.
"The store is opened exclusively for tribespeople and all forest-dependent people can purchase goods from the store. Idukki district collector Sheeba George also agreed to provide possible assistance to the Ila store. As per the request from the forest department, PCCF Supplyco also agreed to provide goods to the store at a subsidy rate," he said.
Forest minister AK Saseendran inaugurated the store on May 17.
Chilla opens on all Thursdays. The initiative has so far earned a business of over Rs 4 crore. A tribal produce market, modelled on Chilla and named 'Masalappetti (Hatt Bazar), was recently set up near Neriamangalam Bridge to market the tribal produce items under the Munnar wildlife division. The market was also inaugurated by the minister on May 17.
