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Maharashtra's Hariyali Ka Sankalp empowers women through afforestation and skills

A 25-acre nursery in Gadchiroli is changing lives—training tribal women in horticulture while restoring forests. Could this be a blueprint for sustainable rural growth?

The image shows a group of women sitting on the floor in front of a pile of vegetables, with a wall...
The image shows a group of women sitting on the floor in front of a pile of vegetables, with a wall in the background and a ceiling at the top. The women appear to be working on the vegetables, likely in a vegetable market in India.

Maharashtra's Hariyali Ka Sankalp empowers women through afforestation and skills

A major environmental and livelihood project has taken root in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. Known as Hariyali Ka Sankalp, the initiative is training nearly 200 rural and tribal women in nursery management while boosting local green cover. The project blends afforestation with sustainable income generation for marginalised communities. The scheme centres on a newly established plant nursery spanning nearly 25 acres. With a production capacity of around 500,000 saplings, it supports large-scale afforestation drives in the region. Backed by Surjagud Ispat Pvt. Ltd., the project ties ecological restoration to socio-economic growth.

Women from rural and tribal backgrounds receive structured training in key areas. These include seed sowing, soil preparation, composting, polybag making, and vegetative propagation. The goal is to equip participants with practical skills for self-employment in agriculture and horticulture. MIAM Charitable Trust, the organisation behind the initiative, was founded in 2020 by Nitu Joshi. The trust focuses on rural development, healthcare access, and employment generation in underserved areas. Joshi has stated that her mission is to serve both people and animals in need. Beyond training, the nursery creates long-term income opportunities for local communities. It also strengthens Gadchiroli’s green cover through sustained afforestation efforts.

The project has already begun transforming lives in Gadchiroli. Nearly 200 women now gain employable skills while contributing to environmental conservation. Over time, the initiative aims to expand both green cover and sustainable livelihoods across the region.

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