In an effort to create self-employment and empower rural folk, Jashpur Nagar district in Chhattisgarh is successfully implementing a unique initiative called Gothan – a vibrant centre of rural economy in the form of a Rural Industrial Park.
A Gothan is a dedicated five-acre plot where tank for drinking water for animals, CPT drain, garbage tank for waste disposal, scaffolding for straw collection, are constructed along with necessary leveling work.
In Jashpur Nagar, chicken and goat sheds are also being built in the Gothan for the promotion of livelihood. Indian Masterminds interacted with 2012-batch IAS officer and District Collector, Mr. Ritesh Kumar Agrawal, to get details about this initiative.
FOUR-STEP SCHEME
Mr. Agrawal informed Indian Masterminds that all this work is going on under an important scheme of the state government, called ‘Narva Garwa Ghurwa Bari Yojana’. He explained the scheme step by step.
Narva: Check dams are being constructed in drains and canals as per requirements so that rainwater can be conserved, and water recharge can stop the falling ground water level, to make farming easier.
Garva: The animals of the villages are provided a day-care centre, where they can live comfortably and have access to fodder and water.
Ghurva: A pit is dug where cattle dung is stored so that cow dung gas and manure can be made.
Bari: A garden attached to the house, in which fruits and flowers can be grown for nourishment.
ANIMAL SHED CONSTRUCTION IN GOTHAN
The construction work of Gothans or Rural Industrial Parks is going on at full swing in the district to generate employment for the local people.
“Most of it is employment related to daily life. That’s why the market is also there, and if there is more production, then we link it to the external market,” Mr. Agrawal said.
One of the employment generation schemes in Gothan is poultry and goat rearing, and sheds are being constructed for the animals. Work is going on at more than 360 sheds, and 60 have been already completed.
“These sheds will be allotted to SHGs through the village Panchayat. The groups will also get subsidy under various schemes,” Mr. Agrawal said.
THOUSANDS TO BENEFIT
Mr. Agrawal further said that thousands of rural people will be benefitted by this scheme. “On an average, there are 10 people in a SHG, and hundreds such groups are active in various blocks and districts. So, when all the poultry and goat rearing sheds will be ready, thousands of people will get self-employment.”
