Mahila Nursery Yojana helps women's groups in Uttarakhand set up sustainable nurseries by giving them quality seeds, technical training, a fixed financial grant, and an assured buyer for the saplings they grow. Forest Department of the Government of Uttarakhand runs this scheme, and women can apply offline through their local forest office.
The scheme is made for women who want to earn a steady income from agro-forestry. Small nurseries run by women play a major role in protecting the local environment too. Under this scheme, the department provides good quality saplings from certified sources and also buys back the fully grown plants on a contract basis, so the women do not have to worry about finding buyers. This scheme is part of the wider list of Uttarakhand government schemes.
Mahila Nursery Yojana - Introduction
Mahila Nursery Yojana encourages women to take charge of their own income through agro-forestry. By setting up small nurseries well, women in rural areas also help with local forest conservation. The scheme supports Self Help Groups, Mahila Mangal Dals, and local women's groups, and the department stays involved right from giving seeds to buying the grown plants.
Women need to register their group at the local Divisional Forest Office before they can get the benefit. Once approved, the grant is released in installments straight into the group's bank account, and the department later purchases the matured saplings as per the signed agreement.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Mahila Nursery Yojana |
| Level | State |
| Beneficiary State | Uttarakhand |
| Category | Agriculture, Rural and Environment, Women and Child |
| Target Beneficiary | Self Help Groups (SHGs) |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| Application Mode | Offline |
| DBT | No |
| Nodal Department | Uttarakhand Forest Department |
Eligibility
To take part in this scheme, a women's group must be working inside Uttarakhand and registered at the related Divisional Forest Office. The following groups can apply for the benefit:
- Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) registered in Uttarakhand.
- Mahila Mangal Dals working in the state.
- Local women's groups that are registered and active in the village.
An example to understand this better: Sunita Devi and ten women from her village formed a registered Mahila Mangal Dal. Since their group is based in Uttarakhand and registered, they can apply for this scheme.
Benefits
Mahila Nursery Yojana gives a complete support system to women running nurseries. The main benefits are given below:
- Direct financial grant to cover the cost of setting up and running the nursery, paid in installments into the group's bank account.
- Good quality seeds from certified sources such as Silvahill or Silvasal, so the plants have a high success rate.
- Hands-on training, technical guidance, and an official nursery manual to help the group manage plants like a professional.
- An assured buy-back deal where the Forest Department purchases the grown saplings, so there is no stress of finding buyers.
Application Process
The application process for this scheme is done offline. The steps to follow are given below.
STEP 1 - Visit the local Divisional Forest Office and register the women's group. Keep the group registration details and the address where the nursery will be set up ready.
STEP 2 - Go through the nursery manual given by the department and take technical advice from forest officials to plan the nursery site properly.
STEP 3 - Submit the registration application together with all the required documents, including the group resolution approving the nursery project.
STEP 4 - After approval, the group procures the required material like seeds and equipment to set up the nursery.
STEP 5 - The department releases the fixed grant in scheduled installments directly into the group's bank account.
STEP 6 - Once the plant growth cycle is complete, the department purchases the saplings species-wise as per the pre-signed agreement.
Documents
Keep these documents ready while applying so that the process goes smoothly:
- Group registration certificate issued by the Divisional Forest Officer.
- Khatauni document of the land where the nursery will be set up.
- Written proposal or resolution of the group meeting approving the nursery project.
- Aadhaar card and mobile number of the group lead.
- Copy of the group's bank passbook.
- Other supporting documents asked by the forest division.
References
FAQ's
Who can apply under Mahila Nursery Yojana?
Women Self Help Groups (SHGs), Mahila Mangal Dals, and registered local women's groups working in Uttarakhand can apply, provided they are registered at the Divisional Forest Office.
What support does the scheme give?
The scheme gives a fixed grant, quality seeds, training and technical guidance, and an assured buy-back agreement for the grown saplings.
Where are the seeds for the nurseries taken from?
The department gives quality seeds from certified sources like Silvahill or Silvasal so that the nursery produces healthy plants.
Is the application online or offline?
The application is offline. The group has to contact the related Divisional Forest Office to register and apply.
How is the grant paid to the group?
Once the group procures the initial nursery material, the department releases the approved grant in installments directly into the group's official bank account.
How does the Forest Department buy the plants?
After the saplings grow to maturity, the department purchases them species-wise, following the terms of the agreement signed between the group and the department.
