Initiatives of TRIFED amid COVID-19
Context: TRIFED under Ministry of Tribal Affairs is proactively responding to the COVID-19 pandemic situation. These initiatives of TRIFED amid COVID-19 are aimed at lending extra support to the tribals in this unprecedented times.
TRIFED is responding by addressing the issues arising out of the long period of lock-down with a set of immediate, medium term and long term initiatives.
Key Highlights of the Initiatives
The actions relating to protecting tribal interests during Covid-19 Lockdown (and the staggered period thereafter) as required can be classified under three heads as follows:
- Publicity and Awareness Generation.
- Personal Protective Healthcare.
- NTFP Procurement.
Short Term measures: Social Distancing Awareness
- Van Dhan Samajik Doori Jagrookta Abhiyaan: It was launched with an aim of educating Tribal engaged in gathering NTFPs in forest areas, on covid-19 response, key preventive behavior like social distancing, home quarantine, hygiene tips through a two-tired training program (Training of Trainers and SHG training), using digital means such as webinars, Facebook live streams etc.
Medium and Long Term measures : Livelihoods
Amendments in the list of exemptions amid COVID-19: To ensure relief to crores of tribals dependent on gathering of forest produce, the Ministry of Home Affairs was approached for necessary amendments in the list of exemptions in the guidelines for second phase of lockdown.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued Revised guidelines on 16th April 2020 allowing Collection, harvesting and processing of non-timber Minor Forest Produce (MFP) by scheduled tribes and other forest dwellers.
These exemptions are timely as the peak harvesting season has set-in in many regions.
Apart from above, Ministry of Tribal Affairs have asked TRIFED to focus on revamping the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for MFP to enhance tribal livelihood in these testing times.
Following the direction of Ministry of Tribal Affairs, TRIFED has initiated steps for operationalizing MSP operations in all states at primary markets called haat bazaars.
Other Initiatives
VAN DHAN SAMAJIK DOORI JAGROOKTA ABHIYAAN: TRIFED teamed up with UNICEF and WHO for launching a digital campaign spreading awareness about the importance of social distancing amid the coronavirus crisis in India.
UNICEF is providing the necessary IEC materials ( posters, flyers, leaflets, brochures, booklets, messages for health education sessions, radio broadcast or TV spots etc.) for the campaign christened as “Van Dhan Samajik Doori Jagrookta Abhiyaan OR Van Dhan Social Distancing Awareness Movement”
