https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

The Moringa Story of Churu: How this Rajasthan district is Fighting Anaemia with a Superfood

The forest department of Churu district in Rajasthan is actively promoting Moringa as an add-on in daily diet. Moringa is getting popularized as a superfood because of its many health benefits, curing anemia being one of them. DCF Savita Dahiya is encouraging people to plant moringa in their homes though mass awareness programmes and handing out of free saplings.
Indian Masterminds Stories

A unique initiative of the forest department of Churu district in Rajasthan to make girls anemia free has caught the attention of health professionals and fitness enthusiasts alike. More so because this initiative is based on a traditional method of using locally available plants and trees for good use.

This time, the forest department decided to use the leaves of Moringa (Sahejna) trees to treat anaemia and under-nutrition in girls of the district. Around 18000 girls in rural areas are benefiting from this move, which was initiated by District Conservator of Forests Savita Dahiya, a 2013-batch IFS officer.

Indian Masterminds interacted with the officer to know more about her Moringa initiative and its implementation.

IFS Savita Dahiya, DCF, Churu, Rajasthan

THE MORINGA STORY OF CHURU

Anaemia is a nutritional disorder that affects mostly children and is mainly brought about by iron deficiency. Moringa leaves are rich in iron and other essential nutrients necessary for iron metabolism. So,making these leaves a part of one’s diet can help fight anaemia.

Talking to Indian Masterminds, Ms. Dahiya said, “As we have nurseries in our forest department, the complete infrastructure related to tree and plant’s growth is available. And it’s well proven that Moringa has a lot of medicinal value. Many girls in Churu district are anaemic, so we thought of including Moringa in their diet, apart from medicine.”

Moringa Tree Drumsticks

Accordingly, the forest department chalked out a plan. They got pamphlets printed and distributed them to the people to create awareness about the benefits of Moringa and how to include them in diet – Moringa drumsticks are mixed with vegetables or cooked separately. The leaves can also be dried and powdered to be used in food.

“To make Moringa accessible to the common people, we organised awareness camps in schools. On Women’s Day, we distributed Moringa seeds to the families of 18000 girls, free of cost. We are actively promoting the planting of Moringa trees in people’s homes,” Ms. Dahiya said.

Girls with Moringa Saplings in a school in Churu, Rajasthan

MORINGA WORKSHOP

Traditionally, moringa does not grow in Churu, as the district is part of a desert. Hence, the plants demand a lot of care and protection. This is the first time that the forest department is trying to get Moringa trees planted in people’s homes.

Ms. Dahiya said, “Once it becomes a part of people’s food habit and they benefit from it, they will promote it themselves and we can then get it planted in schools, colleges, cremation grounds, etc. Recently we, also, held a workshop with children from 2-3 schools on Moringa benefits.”

The officer also informed about a government scheme being implemented in the district, through which Moringa saplings can be bought at subsidised rate, at Re 1 per plant. Notably, a local person helped distribute the plants free of cost by paying Rs. 18 thousand from his own pocket to the forest department.

Moringa Tree

BENEFITS

Highlighting the benefits of Moringa, the officer said that they are well documented in Ayurveda texts. In South India, it is had daily with food. Now, many companies have also started making Moringa-based products. It’s being popularised as a superfood because of its many benefits.

FUTURE PLANS

On future plans, Ms. Dahiya said that the department proposes to increase moringa trees by at least 10% in the next forest target. “They need a lot of care, like daily watering, extra protection, etc. This is not easily possible in a desert area. But, yes, we will try. That’s why,we are encouraging people to plant it in their houses, as they can take good care, in the same way they take care of basil and curry leaf plants.”

Moringa Tree Leaves

HOW TO PLANT MORINGA

The officer further said that all should plant Moringa tree wherever possible because of its many benefits, and even gave tips on how to go about it.

“You need at least 4 by 4 feet of space to plant it. Dig the pit, put some poppy seeds and manure in it, and plant the sapling. Then, install a tree guard. Once it gets bigger, it will provide shade, biodiversity will increase, and birds will come to rest, and their chirping will enliven the environment.”


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
ACC_Appointments Committee of Cabinet
IDES Aseem Kumar’s Tenure at MNRE Extended by 2 Years; IRSME Sushil Kumar Singh to Continue Addl Charge of Mumbai Port Authority
Indian Forest Services IFS officer
IFS Officer Priya Ranjan Gets Extension as Managing Director of National Horticulture Board - Know More!
RCIL RAILTel
RailTel Selects Techno Electric as Partner for 10MW Data Centre in Noida on Revenue-Sharing Basis - Details Inside
Squadron-Leader-Manisha-Padhi
Who Is Squadron Leader Manisha Padhi, Who Becomes India’s First Woman Aide-de-Camp?
Sundarban Forest
West Bengal to Replace 56 km of Nylon Nets in Sunderbans to Prevent Tiger Intrusion into Villages - Details Inside
IRS Officer Indian revenue Services
CBI Orders Attachment of ₹7 Crore Properties in Corruption Case Involving IRS Officer Amit Nigam - Details Inside
IAS B Ashok
Setback for Kerala Govt: CAT Quashes IAS B Ashok’s Appointment as LSG Reforms Commission Chairman - Details Inside
cybercrime
How a Fake Terror Probe Call Led to a Retired Doctor Being Duped of ₹2.2 Crore by Cyber Fraudsters Posing as IPS, NIA Officers
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
Monika Singh’s Life Beyond the Bureaucracy | Video Interview 
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Divyanshu pal Nagar IFS
Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS: The Inspiring Journey of Divyanshu Pal Nagar
Divyanshu Pal Nagar’s inspiring five-year UPSC journey shows how perseverance, disciplined self-study,...
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
Social Media
Tiger jump Sundarban
Stunning Viral Video Shows Royal Bengal Tiger Making Spectacular 30-Foot Leap Across River in Sunderbans - See It Here
Retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared the clip online, which quickly went...
shubham kumar ias marriage
IAS Topper Weds BPSC Topper: Shubham Kumar Marries IRS Officer Priyangi Mehta in Patna; Wedding Video Goes Viral
Topper Couple Alert: Shubham Kumar, Priyangi Mehta’s Wedding Grabs Spotlight in Bihar
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Divyanshu pal Nagar IFS
Stumbled in CSE, Triumphed in IFS: The Inspiring Journey of Divyanshu Pal Nagar
ACC_Appointments Committee of Cabinet
IDES Aseem Kumar’s Tenure at MNRE Extended by 2 Years; IRSME Sushil Kumar Singh to Continue Addl Charge of Mumbai Port Authority
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Monika Singh
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT