Raigad (DIPR), May 21: In an innovative effort to restore degraded forest land without utilizing government funds, the Alibag Forest Division is launching the “Majhe Van” (My Forest) initiative. This concept, introduced by Rahul Patil, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Alibag, aims to promote afforestation through voluntary participation of forest staff.
The official launch of the initiative will take place on May 22, at Compartment No. 50A of reserved forest land in village Jumapatti, Taluka Karjat (Matheran Range). Hon’ble Forest Minister Shri. Ganesh Naik will inaugurate the campaign by planting saplings on one acre of degraded land.
Under this initiative, each active forest officer will voluntarily select one acre of forest land within their jurisdiction and plant saplings of their choice during the 2025 monsoon season, at their own expense. They will also be responsible for the complete protection and nurturing of the planted area. Based on the number of personnel, afforestation is expected to cover approximately 338 acres in the 2025 season.
The “Majhe Van” initiative is expected to result in increased forest cover through personalized care and attention to reforestation efforts. Participating forest staff will also have the liberty to name their selected plots.
The Alibag (Provisional) Forest Division comprises 1 Deputy Conservator, 2 Assistant Conservators, 12 Range Forest Officers, 74 Round Officers, and 249 Beat Officers, totaling 338 field-level posts.
This division encompasses 11 forest ranges—Alibag, Vadkhal, Pen, Panvel, Uran, Khalapur, Karjat East, Karjat West, Matheran, Sudhagad, and Nagothane—covering a total forest area of 1,065.61 square kilometers.
Field Visit of Approved Farmer Producer Companies Under Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project
Raigad (DIPR), May 21: On May 15 and 16, 2025, Uday Deshmukh, Additional Project Director of the SMART Project, Pune, conducted a two-day field visit to review the progress of farmer producer companies (FPCs) approved under the Balasaheb Thackeray Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) Project.
During his visit, he inspected the SMART project office at RAMETI-Khopoli and offered guidance on effectively organizing training sessions for CBO directors and representatives.
He also visited several CBOs under the SMART initiative, including Sukhkarta Agro Farmers Producer Company Ltd., Khalapur; Vanarai Agro Producer Company Ltd., Pen; Aditi Agro Producer Company Ltd., Pen; and Gyani Agro Farmer Producer Company Ltd., Alibag. He expressed satisfaction with their ongoing work and extended his best wishes for future endeavors.
In addition, he reviewed the status of loan approvals and sub-project development for CBOs sanctioned under the District Rural Development Agency (MSRLM) and offered strategic advice.
Accompanying him during the visit were key officials from the SMART Project, including Bhimashankar Patil, Nodal Officer, Regional Implementation Unit, SMART (Konkan Division, Thane); Mrs. Vandana Shinde, Project Director (ATMA), Raigad; Satish Borhade, Nodal Officer; Digvijay Nichite, Supply Chain and Value Chain Expert cum Agribusiness Consultant; and Nikeshkumar Potbhare, Economist and Finance Advisor.
