Forest Department officials in the district have launched as series of training programmes to provide income generation opportunities for tribal people in Udumalpet and Amaravathi ranges.
This will help reduce their dependency on forest resources for a livelihood.
District Forest Officer A. Periasamy told The Hindu that the tribal people were being given training on bee-keeping, organic farming, and production of coir ropes.
To promote apiculture, the Forest department officials in association with Tamil Nadu Agricultural University had distributed free cages to 30 tribal people for keeping bees and produce honey.
“The organic farming is encouraged in Thalinji, Machampatti, Koodanthur and Poruppar settlements where the tribal people already have farm activities. Now, we are giving them training to prepare organic manure and other cultivation methods utilising the services of experts in organic farming from other parts of the State,” said Mr. Periasamy.
Coir ropes would be produced by the tribal people in Thalinji settlement.
“Apart from giving the initial training, the forest officials will be in constant touch with the tribal people to ensure that they continue with the activities without any hindrance,” the forest officials added.
