This story isn’t just about success; it’s about a life-changing initiative for the tribal villages in the forest areas of Surat, Gujarat. Puneet Nayyar, an IFS officer from the 2010 batch, played a pivotal role in establishing the Visdalia cluster and the Enterprise Facility Centre (EFC). This model has become a benchmark for other EFCs throughout Gujarat.
Through this initiative, partnerships were fostered between local communities in over 45 villages, government agencies, and private organizations, leading to the implementation of innovative conservation programs that have positively impacted more than 4000 families. Additionally, the project has led to the creation of over 15 enterprises and the nurturing of more than 100 entrepreneurs.
In recognition of its success, the state government has ordered the establishment of four more such clusters.
Indian Masterminds recently interviewed IFS officer Puneet Nayyar, who is now posted as DFO Tapi, to gain deeper insights into this transformative initiative and its impact on the tribal communities in Surat’s forest divisions.
INCEPTION
The Visdalia Model is a groundbreaking and holistic approach to sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities in Surat’s Forest Department. This innovative model has not only contributed to biodiversity conservation but also brought substantial improvements to the lives of tribal people, enhancing their income and overall well-being.
The journey began in 2015-16 when Mr. Puneet Nayyar was appointed as the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Surat.
The region’s tribal belt comprises three talukas: Mangrol, Umarpada, and Mandvi. These areas are home to ancient tribal communities, with many villages nestled deep within the forest.
IFS Puneet’s vision was clear: the forest department needed to create employment opportunities that would both empower these communities economically and alleviate the pressure on the forest. By reducing their dependence on forest resources, the initiative aimed to contribute to conservation efforts.
Additionally, he envisioned establishing a center of excellence at the taluka level, where diverse activities could be conducted simultaneously, fostering synergy and maximizing benefits for the community.
FIRST ACTIVITY
With this vision in mind, the Visdalia cluster was launched, beginning with a village in Mandvi taluka, where the Kotwalia tribal community resides. Known for their craftsmanship with bamboo, the Kotwalia people had traditional skills in creating bamboo products. Puneet and his team worked to enhance and upgrade their skills, helping them transition from traditional practices to more advanced techniques.
This approach not only revitalized the local craft but also provided a sustainable source of income, exemplifying the successful integration of economic development with environmental conservation.
The initial activity focused on bamboo craftsmanship, which received an overwhelmingly positive response. The bamboo furniture produced by the community began to attract attention and was soon being shipped to major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi.
IFS Puneet remarked, “The people here are incredibly hardworking and possess great potential. However, due to a lack of information and resources, they struggle to develop their talents and improve their standard of living.”
TRAINING
Puneet and his team initially focused on training the community in construction activities related to furniture and bamboo craftsmanship. They collaborated with various NGOs and departments to provide this training.
Over a span of two to three years, the community’s skills were significantly upgraded. By 2017, the training had expanded from basic bamboo basketry and mat-making to include a diverse range of bamboo products.
The Kotwalia people began to realize the vast potential of bamboo, and their craft evolved to include everything from furniture to jewelry. Today, their product range encompasses approximately 80 different items, all tailored to market demand.
Notably, these tribals have contributed bamboo products to the Statue of Unity project, enhancing its aesthetic appeal at various locations.
Their success underscores the transformative impact of skill development and training, demonstrating how traditional craftsmanship can evolve into a thriving and diverse industry.
MAKING A BRAND
The tribals’ bamboo products gained such widespread popularity that Puneet decided to elevate them into a recognized brand. The Kotwalia people refer to their bamboo work as ‘Vinaan,’ which means weaving in their language. Building on this cultural term, the furniture crafted by the Kotwalia was branded as ‘Vinaan.’
The brand quickly garnered attention, and by 2019-20, ‘Vinaan’ achieved a turnover of one crore. Since then, the brand’s success has continued to grow, reflecting the increasing demand for their exceptional bamboo craftsmanship.
MAKING ENTERPRISES
The success of the bamboo products led Puneet to explore new opportunities for the tribals, all of which proved to be successful.
One notable initiative was the VanSree Canteen, which aimed to serve local tribal cuisine and employ women from tribal self-help groups (SHGs). This venture was designed with a cluster approach, involving about 18 villages. The canteens were strategically placed at three locations along the route from Visdalia to the Statue of Unity, and they received a highly positive response.
Building on this success, Puneet and his team supported the establishment of a millet-based bakery. The bakery’s products were so well-received that people in Surat began purchasing cookies and sending them to relatives abroad.
In addition to these ventures, he facilitated the creation of several other enterprises, including pulse production, spice blending, paper crafts, mushroom cultivation, and eco-friendly paper plate manufacturing. Each of these initiatives contributed to the economic empowerment of the tribal communities and further demonstrated the impact of innovative, community-driven development.
THE RURAL MALL
A particularly innovative aspect of this initiative was the establishment of a Rural Mall. Launched within the Visdalia cluster, the Rural Mall was designed to centralize and showcase the best products from the village. The concept aimed to provide a single venue where all the village’s high-quality goods could be displayed and sold.
Located on the Visdalia campus, the Rural Mall features a spacious showroom where a variety of items are available. This includes products made by individual villagers, allowing independent artisans to market their goods. From honey collected by local gatherers to Mahua laddus crafted by traditional cooks, the Rural Mall offers a diverse range of products, celebrating the community’s craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit.
ENTREPRENEURS
Puneet explained, “Our goal was to establish small micro-enterprises within the community. Once these enterprises were set up, many individuals became entrepreneurs, managing these businesses themselves. The profits generated within the clusters are shared among all members, giving them a stake in the success of the ventures.”
He highlighted a particularly notable aspect of the initiative: the significant impact it has had on women. Puneet remarked, “The true essence of this project lies in its empowerment of women. When a woman benefits from such initiatives, it not only elevates her social status but also brings about positive changes in her family and the broader community.”
CHANGING FAREMER’S LIVES
Puneet noted that the tribals’ income began to improve significantly, leading to noticeable improvements in their lives. Inspired by this success, he decided to extend support to their villages. He approached several Surat-based companies for assistance with agricultural development in the cluster villages under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.
Agriculture in these areas is primarily rain-fed, meaning farming is only feasible during the rainy season. Most farmers manage small plots of land, which limits their productivity.
To address this, forest department initiated a project to support local farmers. They constructed wells and provided irrigation machines, enabling farmers to continue their work beyond the rainy season. As a result, farmers are now able to cultivate their land three times a year instead of just once. They have even been provided with solar-powered equipment.
Encouraged by the success of this initiative, the Forest Department connected over 600 farmers to these new agricultural practices.
Additionally, farmers who already used minimal pesticides were awarded organic certification. Around 300 farmers received this certification, which is a challenging and lengthy process requiring three years of detailed reports. With this certification, these farmers are now able to sell their produce to major firms, enhancing their market access and income.
Plans were also developed for the villagers under the MGNREGA. This included water harvesting projects and the creation of additional employment opportunities, further contributing to the community’s well-being and economic stability.
IMPACT
Regarding income, Puneet notes that due to the convergence and synergy of different activities, the tribal family income for the beneficiary household increased from 15,000 to 40,000 per month. In addition to this, the support for farming has further boosted their earnings. Many tribals are also benefiting from work opportunities provided under MNREGA, contributing to their financial stability.
The Rural Mall has achieved a turnover of approximately 2 crores, with a significant portion of its profits being distributed among the tribals. This success not only enhances their income but also reinforces their stake in the enterprise.
In addition to these achievements, the initiative has been recognized nationally by the National Bamboo Mission under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. It stands out as the only cluster in Gujarat among 22 clusters for its exemplary work in bamboo craft.
The project also promotes child education through night schools and a community library, further enriching the lives of the tribal community. Puneet played a key role in establishing a small library on the Visdalia campus for the children of tribal villages. The library is equipped with a collection of books for competitive exam preparation, providing valuable resources for their educational advancement.
