An environmental and livelihood initiative titled “Hariyali Ka Sankalp – Prakriti aur Pragati ke Saath” has been implemented in Gadchiroli, Maharashtra, India. The project is a joint effort between Surjagud Ispat Pvt. Ltd. and MIAM Charitable Trust, and aims to integrate ecological restoration with rural employment generation.
Project Overview
The initiative involves the development of a plant nursery spread across approximately 25 acres, with a capacity of around 500,000 saplings. The project supports afforestation efforts while also functioning as a sustainable livelihood model for local communities.
Employment and Skill Development
The nursery has provided employment to approximately 200 rural and tribal women from the region. In addition to wage-based work, participants receive training in nursery management and plant cultivation techniques, including:
Seed sowing and propagation
Soil preparation and composting
Polybag preparation
Vegetative propagation techniques such as grafting and cutting
These activities contribute to both skill development and income generation.
About MIAM Charitable Trust
MIAM Charitable Trust is a non-profit organization established in 2020 by Nitu Joshi. The organization works in rural development, healthcare access, employment generation, and community welfare, particularly in underserved and tribal regions.
According to founder Nitu Joshi, “The purpose of my life is to serve people and animals. I try, to the best of my ability, to help those in need.”
Impact
The initiative has contributed to:
Increased green cover in the region
Employment generation for rural women
Skill development at the community level
Promotion of environmentally sustainable practices
Significance
The project is considered an example of an integrated environmental and socio-economic development model, demonstrating how afforestation initiatives can be aligned with livelihood opportunities in rural and tribal areas.
