During his visit to Kukru in Betul, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav made major announcements of tourism circuit, homestay, coffee project, road, pond, employment and many development works worth Rs 15 crore.
Bhopal/Betul. June 28 was important in many ways for the tourism sector of Madhya Pradesh. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav made several important announcements to develop the famous hill station Kukru of Betul district as a major tourist center of the state. He said that the state government will work on a large scale to equip Kukru with modern tourism facilities, so that this area can create its own identity at the national level.
The Chief Minister announced that an integrated tourism circuit connecting Kukru, Chikhaldara, Muktagiri and Melghat will be developed at a cost of about Rs 15 crore. The objective of this project is to provide tourists with the experience of several major natural and religious sites on a single route.
Chief Minister gave the message of healthy life by doing yoga in the valleys of Kukru
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav started his stay by practicing yoga amidst the natural valleys of Kukru. He appealed to the people of the state not to limit yoga to just one day, but make it a part of their daily routine. During the yoga practice, the Chief Minister performed many difficult and important yoga asanas including Mayurasana, Shirshasana, Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Trikonasana, Bhadrasana, Vakrasana, Bhujangasana and Shalabhasana with ease. Apart from this, he also practiced Nadi Shodhan, Titli and Bhramari Pranayam collectively with the local villagers. The Chief Minister said that regular yoga is very important not only for physical but also for mental health.
Launch of Pulse Polio campaign, also saw presentation of tourism development.
After the yoga program, the Chief Minister launched the Pulse Polio campaign from Kukru and administered polio drops to small children. Along with this, he also saw the presentation of the detailed action plan for the proposed tourism development of Kukru area. He directed the officials to develop Kukru by creating a better combination of natural beauty and modern facilities, so that the tourists coming here can get a world class experience.
Eco tourism, sunrise-sunset point and adventure activities will get a boost.
The Chief Minister said that special priority will be given to eco-tourism in Kukru. Tourism facilities will be expanded while preserving the natural resources and beautiful valleys present here. He said that sunrise and sunset points will be systematically developed in the area. Besides, eco-resorts with modern facilities, tourist accommodation, view points and other necessary tourism infrastructure will be prepared.
Trekking, nature trail, adventure sports and other exciting activities will also be started to attract tourists. The Chief Minister clarified that if necessary, the budget for this project will be further increased.
Homestays will be built for tribal families, MP Tourism will do online booking
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that it is the priority of the government to extend the benefits of tourism development to the local people. For this purpose, tribal families of Kukru area will be linked to the homestay scheme. These homestays will be operated as per the standards of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and booking arrangements for tourists will also be made through Madhya Pradesh Tourism. This will provide new employment and self-employment opportunities to local families and their income will increase.
Local products will be promoted under the brand ‘Kukru Natur’
The Chief Minister said that Kukru is not only known for its natural beauty but also for its excellent coffee, Kodo-Kutki, Amla, honey, Harra, Baheda, White Musli, Bhilwa and many other forest products. To give recognition to these products at the national level, special units named “Kukru Natur” will be established with the help of women of self-help groups and the Forest Department. Besides, special outlets will also be opened in the cities for marketing of these products, so that better market can be available to the local products.
Sales centers will open for milk products, youth will get training
The Chief Minister said that there are good possibilities of milk production in Kukru area. In view of this, sales centers for Rabdi, Mawa, Curd and other milk products will be established with the help of Forest Department. He said that to provide tourism based employment to the local youth, various training programs related to tourist guide, driving, hotel management and hospitality will be conducted through the National Skill Development Corporation.
Along with this, a special project will be started at a cost of about Rs 1 crore for the cultivation, production and processing of Robusta and Arabica coffee. The Coffee Board and Forest Department will also provide technical guidance to the farmers, so that coffee production can be expanded in the area.
Animal husbandry, water conservation and rural development will get new momentum
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that along with tourism development, strengthening the rural economy is also the priority of the government. For this purpose, a comprehensive action plan will be prepared to promote animal husbandry in Kukru area. Cattle farmers will be provided with animals of improved breed and arrangements will also be made for construction of animal sheds, so that their income can increase.
He said that for a permanent solution to the long standing water problem in the area, a pond will be constructed at a cost of about Rs 5 crore. This will promote water conservation and also give a new direction to tourism activities. A survey of the possibilities of pond construction will also be conducted in village Kasai.
Many announcements for expansion of roads, education and basic facilities
The Chief Minister announced several infrastructure projects for the overall development of the area. He informed that a wellness center will be established under the AYUSH department, which will provide health related facilities to the local people as well as tourists. Apart from this, a road will be constructed in village Jamukheda at a cost of Rs 70 lakh, a culvert will be constructed in village Lokaldari at a cost of Rs 40 lakh, a road will be constructed from village Kasai to Bhodiakund at a cost of Rs 85 lakh, a road will be constructed from village Kasai Phata to Bhodiakund at a cost of Rs 65 lakh and from Jamukheda to Imlidhana at a cost of Rs 65 lakh.
He also announced that a girls hostel will be built in village Khamla at a cost of Rs 1.20 crore. A government fair price shop will be constructed in village Kasai at a cost of Rs 25 lakh. Necessary plans will also be prepared after detailed survey for other development works of the area.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav boosted the enthusiasm of the farmers by plowing the fields.
During his stay in Kukru, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav showed his connection with rural life and agricultural culture. He reached the field of farmer Sahadev Gayani, plowed the field himself and participated in the sowing of maize. Farmer Sahadev Gayani told the Chief Minister that he has about five acres of agricultural land, where maize is being sown in preparation for the Kharif season. The Chief Minister observed the farming process closely and discussed agriculture related issues in detail with the farmers. He also took information related to sowing, production and marketing of Kharif crops and while encouraging the farmers, he said that the basis of the prosperity of the state is agriculture and farmers.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav impressed by youth’s stick art
During the farm visit, 21 year old village youth Hemant Gayani demonstrated the art of using traditional sticks. The Chief Minister was greatly impressed by his talent. Praising the young man, he himself waved his stick and encouraged him. This spontaneous behavior of the Chief Minister remained the center of attraction for the villagers present there.
Intimate conversation with women of self-help groups
During the Jan Samvad programme, the Chief Minister met the women of self-help groups and appreciated their work. He said that economic self-reliance of women is a strong foundation for the development of villages. Neeta Dhadse, a member of Lakshmi Self-Help Group, said that while working as Krishi Sakhi, she is promoting organic farming, due to which her income has increased significantly. He told that his family has become financially strong through the loan assistance received from Livelihood Mission.
Group member Maina Damje said that earlier she used to prepare Mawa and Rabdi on a limited scale, but after joining the self-help group, her business has increased and her income has also improved. Archana Vinod of village Khamla said that her CLF has received a loan of Rs 72 lakh, due to which the women of the group are earning better income by joining dairy, Krishi Sakhi and other livelihood activities.
Called for adopting natural farming and coffee production
The Chief Minister took information about the experiences of natural farming from villager Sheshrao Barsakar. He shared the benefits of adopting natural farming for three years. Appreciating their efforts, the Chief Minister appealed to other farmers also to adopt natural farming. He said that Kukru and the surrounding forest area is very suitable for coffee production. Here, the income of farmers can be increased by cultivating coffee along with other fruit plants including mango. He also described animal husbandry and dairy activities as the strong base of rural economy. The Chief Minister said that the homestays to be developed to promote tourism will bring new employment opportunities for the local people.
Information given about Acharya Vidyasagar Scheme
While giving information to the villagers about Acharya Vidyasagar Scheme, the Chief Minister said that under this scheme, bank loan of up to Rs 10 lakh is provided to the cattle farmers to start dairy business. He said that up to 33 percent grant is given to eligible beneficiaries and up to 5 percent interest reimbursement on bank loans is also done by the state government. This will provide financial assistance to villagers to start dairy business.
‘Betul Darshan’ booklet released
During the program, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav released ‘Betul Darshan’ booklet based on tourist places of Betul district. In this booklet, detailed information about the major religious, natural, historical and cultural sites of the district has been compiled. The Chief Minister said that this publication will play an important role in introducing tourists to the tourism heritage of Betul.
Helmets distributed to women and citizens
During the Jan Samvad programme, the Chief Minister also distributed helmets to women of self-help groups and local citizens with the aim of promoting road safety. He provided helmets to many beneficiaries including Vandana Save, Savita Athole, Santoshi Belkar, Dharmendra Save, Saibu Athole and Ashok Betkar.
Youth selected in forest guard recruitment received appointment letters.
The Chief Minister also distributed appointment certificates to 45 candidates selected from Special Backward Tribe category in the Forest Guard Recruitment Examination. During this, appointment letters were handed over to selected youth including Raju Bega, Pramod Thakaria, Ajay Sahariya, Ranubai Baiga and Jyoti Milthare. Congratulating the youth, he said that they should discharge their responsibilities in forest and environment protection of the state with full dedication.
Inspected the historical coffee plantation of Kukru
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav also visited the historical coffee plantation located at Kukru. He took information about the geographical conditions there, the quality of the soil and the possibilities of coffee production. He asked the officials and experts to connect more and more local farmers to coffee production, so that there can be a permanent increase in their income. The Chief Minister also discussed with the representatives of the company doing coffee processing work and discussed in detail about production, processing and marketing. He said that the coffee industry will give new strength to both the identity and rural economy of the Kukru region in the future.
The history of Kukru coffee plantation is linked to 1944.
The coffee plantation of Kukru holds historical importance. It was founded in the year 1944 by British woman Florence Hendricks. Spread over an area of about 40 hectares, this garden is still known as the major natural and agricultural heritage of the area. The state government is now working towards taking this heritage forward with modern technology and new schemes to benefit both farmers and tourism.
Major announcements of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at a glance
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav made many important announcements for the development of Kukru area. These include a Rs 15 crore project for tourism development in Kukru, a Rs 1 crore scheme for robusta and Arabica coffee production and processing, pond construction, establishment of a wellness centre, road and culvert construction, girls hostel, government fair price shop, establishment of ‘Kukru Natur’ brand for local natural products, homestay development, milk product sales centre, tourism based employment training and other basic development works. Through these schemes, the government aims to make Kukru a strong model of tourism, agriculture, natural products, coffee production and rural employment.