Chief Minister Sai inaugurated the newly constructed modern Ayurvedic processing unit and central storage complex

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurating the modern Ayurvedic medicine processing unit and central store house complex built by Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation Limited in village Jamgaon (M) of Durg district by ribbon cutting , while Mahamandaleshwar Shri Shri 1008 Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj giving him a helping hand in performing the inaugural ceremony-Photo Credit-CG-PR

In Short

*Historic initiative of the government towards realising the Forest to Pharmacy model

*Modern Ayurvedic processing unit built in 27.87 acres area at a cost of Rs 36.47 crore

Raipur: Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai on Sunday June 29, 2025 inaugurated the modern Ayurvedic medicine processing unit and central store house complex built by Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Cooperative Federation Limited in village Jamgaon (M) under Patan Assembly of Durg district and herbal extraction unit built under public private partnership by Sprayer Biotech Private Limited.

Chief Minister Sai said that our government is fulfilling the guarantee of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with full commitment. Our government has been continuously moving in the direction of development for one and a half years. We are fulfilling the promises made to three crore people on priority.

Chief Minister informed that about two thousand people will get direct and indirect employment from the three new herbal units. 44 percent of Chhattisgarh’s land area is covered with forests, which is a matter of good fortune for us. Raw materials of Ayurvedic medicines will be collected from the forests and transported to the plants, which will directly benefit the forest dwellers. He said that this processing unit is the largest unit in Central India and will prove to be a milestone in the field of Ayurvedic medicine manufacturing. This will not only improve health services, but will also establish Chhattisgarh as an Ayurvedic centre at national and international level.

Chief Minister further said that the government has increased the collection rate for tendu leaf collectors from Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,500 per standard sack, which will directly benefit about 13 lakh tendu leaf collector families. Also, the ‘Charan Paduka Yojana’ which was closed in the previous government has been restarted, under which Charan Padukas were distributed to five beneficiary women today.

The Chief Minister called upon the people to join the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign. He said that every person should plant at least one tree in the name of his mother and protect it. This will not only protect the environment but will also maintain respect for the mother.

Addressing the program, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap said that Chhattisgarh has 44.10 percent forest cover, which leads to abundance of forest produce. This processing unit is the largest unit in Central India. With its launch, collection, processing and marketing of forest produce will be easy. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Chhattisgarh’s forest produce will now make its reach in the global market. He said that 67 types of forest produce are collected in Chhattisgarh, which will directly benefit 13 lakh 40 thousand forest dwellers. Minister Kashyap said that ‘Charan Paduka Yojana’ has been restarted in accordance with ‘Modi’s guarantee’.

Mahamandaleshwar Shri Shri 1008 Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj also addressed the program and highlighted the importance of Ayurvedic medicines.

Chief Minister Sai planting an Amla (Indian Gooseberry ) tree in the processing unit premises before the inauguration-Photo Credit-CG-PR

Chief Minister Sai planted an Amla (Indian Gooseberry ) tree in the processing unit premises before the inauguration. Along with the , Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap who planted a Sitaphal (Custard Apple) tree , MP Vijay Baghel planted a Bael (Pale) tree and Mahamandaleshwar Shri Shri 1008 Dr. Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj also planted a (Custard Apple) tree .

It is worth mentioning that the Ayurvedic processing unit is a historic initiative towards realising the ‘Forest to Pharmacy Model’ by linking Chhattisgarh’s rich forest wealth with science and modern technology. Built at a cost of Rs 36.47 crore in an area of ​​27.87 acres, this unit will produce products worth Rs 50 crore per year. Here, quality products like powder, syrup, oil, tablets and avaleha will be produced by organising and scientific processing of medicinal and minor forest produce obtained from the forests of the state – such as Mahua ( Honey Tree) , Sal (Shorea robusta tree) Seed, Kalmegh (Green chiretta), Giloy (Heart-Leaved), Ashwagandha (“Indian Winter Cherry”)etc. This unit will become the main center for getting the state’s products recognised in the national and international market under the ‘Chhattisgarh Herbals’ brand.

Under the project, more than 2,000 people will get direct and indirect employment opportunities. Participation of a large number of women will be ensured in this, which will provide them self-employment. At the same time, new doors of livelihood will open at the local level due to the youth getting technical training.

A modern warehouse with a storage capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes has been developed in the unit, which will help in long-term preservation and quality control of seasonal forest produce. This project realises the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat'(self-reliant India) . It not only presents an example of local value addition of forest produce, but also strengthens environmental balance, economic development and social inclusiveness.

Sensitivity of Chief Minister Sai was seen: He made a beneficiary wear Charan Paduka with his own hands

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai making wear Charan Paduka to a beneficiary of village Badbhum (District Balod) with his own hands- Photo Credit-CG-PR

On the occasion, an unique scene of human sensitivity and respect towards women was also seen, when Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lovingly made a beneficiary of village Badbhum (District Balod) wear Charan Paduka with his own hands. Inspired by the initiative of Chief Minister Sai, other guests including the Forest Minister also made the beneficiaries – Vaijayanti Kureti, Nirmala Uike, Lalita Uike and Aghanteen Usendi wear Charan Padukas with their own hands.

Member of Parliament Vijay Baghel, MLAs Doman Lal Korsevada, Sampat Lal Agarwal, Lalit Chandrakar, Gajendra Yadav and Rakesh Sen, former Minister Ramshila Sahu, former MLA Daya Ram Sahu, Mahamandleshwar Shri Shri 1008 Dr. Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj, Chairman of Local Tribal Health Tradition and Medicinal Plant Board Vikas Markam, Chairman of Forest Development Corporation Ramsevak Paikra, Forest Force Chief V. Srinivas Rao, Managing Director of Chhattisgarh State Forest Produce Federation Anil Kumar Sahu and Executive Chairman of Federation S. Manikasagan were present on the occasion .