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Tribal women join hands to conserve ecology

Form self-help groups to find alternative employment opportunities

Baripada: In a show of rare gesture for conservation of Simlipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR), tribal women in the interiors of the reserve have organised themselves under the aegis of Self Help Groups (SHGs).

The objective is to provide these women with alternative employment opportunities and at the same time conserve the rich biological diversities of the SBR.

SBR Field Director cum Conservator of Forest Dr Debabrata Swain said for the first time tribal women in Simlipal have taken up the cudgels to act as sentinels to protect and preserve the unique biological wealth of the reserve.

The members of the Ashra SHG at Saharpat hamlet inside the Simlipal hills have initiated this project. They have accepted a proposal from the DFO, Karanjia and started producing soaps without any animal fat. Similarly, the eco-friendly members of the `Maa Sarla SHG' at Sapachira have started making paper bags and `terracotta'. As the village is located on the tourists' track route, the members of the SHG hope that they could sell their products to the tourists. -- UNI

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Tribal women join hands to conserve ecology

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