Question : Van Dhan Kendras

(a) the number of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras constituted so far under the Van Dhan Yojana in the country including Uttar Pradesh, district-wise;

(b) the number of Van Dhan Vikas Samuhs constituted and the corresponding number of members of the self-help groups formed under this scheme in Uttar Pradesh, district-wise;

(c) the details of total number of tribals benefitted and uplifted under the said scheme; and

(d) whether the Government has set any target orplanned new initiatives for the higher benefits of the tribals and if so the details thereof ?

(a) to (c) A total of 1770 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) has so far been sanctioned in 22 States & 1 Union Territory for promotion of tribal entrepreneurship and livelihood generations wherein a total of about 5.27 Lakhs beneficiaries have been associated. This includes 5 VDVKs sanctioned for Uttar Pradesh State as per details below:

Sl. No. Name of District Name of VDVKs sanctioned Amount Sanctioned
(In Rs. Lakhs) Number of Self Help Group Number of Beneficiaries
1 Sonbhadra 3 45.00 45 947
2 Lalitpur 2 14.55 15 291
Total 5 59.55 60 1238

(d) It is envisaged to scale up implementation of the program in 26 States and 308 Districts including 39 aspirational districts where significant forest dwelling tribal population and rich source of Minor Forest Produces. Further it is envisaged to explore opportunities to forge convergence with other central line Ministries to boost the initiative.
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