Van Melas becoming Foundation of Tribal Prosperity : CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav has stated that forests are the glory of our mother Earth, the heritage of the land, and its true adornment. Forests are our national wealth, and it is the responsibility of all of us to conserve and promote them. He stated that Van Melas serve as a powerful platform to showcase the rich biological and botanical diversity of the state. Through these fairs, tribal communities get a valuable opportunity to sell their forest produce and wooden handicrafts.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav announced that the ‘Shri Mahakal Van Mela’ has commenced from today and will soon establish a distinct identity of its own. The herbs and various pure and safe non-timber forest products displayed at the fair are highly useful in treatment through Ayurvedic and natural healing systems. Forest medicinal herbs are proving effective in the treatment of various ailments, and even diseases once considered incurable are now being addressed through them. He informed that under the guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Union Budget 2026 has announced the establishment of three new All India Institutes of Ayurved in the country, modelled on AIIMS. Efforts are being made to establish one such institute in Ujjain—the karmabhoomi of Lord Dhanvantari and the land of Simhastha. A proposal has already been sent to the Central Government.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav inaugurated the first-ever ‘Shri Mahakal Van Mela-2026’ in the religious city of Ujjain on Wednesday. He said that citizens will get natural colours and gulal at the fair. Traditional pulse diagnosticians (Nadi Vaidyas) and Ayurvedic doctors will also offer their services. The wooden and bamboo ethnic craft items displayed at the fair are excellent examples of traditional craftsmanship and add aesthetic value to homes. He appealed to the citizens of Ujjain to take full advantage of the Van Mela and encourage the use of the state’s forest wealth and tribal products. The government has taken a significant step by providing a market platform to local forest produce and artisans through the ‘Mahakal Van Mela.’ It is a meaningful initiative towards environmental awareness, promotion of Ayurvedic products, and self-reliance. The Van Mela is being held at Dussehra Maidan in Ujjain and will continue till 16 February.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that the state government is rapidly increasing the number of medical and Ayurvedic colleges in the state. Last year, eight new Ayurvedic colleges were established in various districts, and the pace of expansion will be further accelerated this year. The Chief Minister launched Vindhya Herbal’s natural colours and gulal, the Mahakal Smriti Gift Kit and ‘Mahakal Van Prasadam’. He also honoured Forest Guard Shri Jagdish Prasad Ahirwar from Panna district with a certificate of appreciation for his special knowledge of forest-based healing practices. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had praised Shri Ahirwar’s efforts to preserve indigenous knowledge of forest herbs in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on January 25.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that to ensure prosperity in tribal and forest regions of the state, Van Melas like those held in Bhopal and Ujjain should be organised across Madhya Pradesh. The Van Mela organised in Ujjain on the occasion of Mahashivratri and Vikramotsav is unique for the people of the state. The Forest Department has prepared ‘Mahakal Van Prasadam’ in a completely natural manner. It includes a sapling planted in a wooden pot, which will be offered to Mahakal. Once returned, it can be planted directly without removing the pot. The wooden pot will naturally decompose into manure, allowing the plant to grow uninterrupted.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav stated that products such as Mahua laddus, sweets made from Shri Anna (millets) and several other forest produce items are available at the fair. The Vaidyas and doctors present at the Van Mela will provide free consultations for several chronic and difficult-to-treat diseases.

Minister of State for Forest and Environment Shri Dilip Ahirwar stated that under the guidance of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the Forest Department is consistently working to increase the income of tribal communities. The Van Mela organised in Ujjain will set new benchmarks of success, similar to the Bhopal Van Mela. Various natural medicines and bamboo products are available here for citizens.

Additional Chief Secretary, Forest and Cooperation, Shri Ashok Barnwal, said that Chief Minister Dr. Yadav has initiated the organisation of Van Melas across cities in the state. This is the first Van Mela outside Bhopal. Such fairs serve a dual purpose—they increase income for tribal communities and also provide urban citizens with an opportunity to purchase natural products and align with nature-friendly lifestyles. He informed that about 30 lakh tribal collectors are benefiting directly through the Madhya Pradesh Minor Forest Produce Federation. The Van Mela held in Bhopal one and a half months ago recorded sales exceeding ₹3 crore. The Shri Mahakal Van Mela features 250 stalls from across the state, along with more than 150 Vaidyas and Ayurvedic doctors offering consultation.

MLAs Shri Anil Jain Kaluheda, Shri Satish Malviya, Shri Jitendra Pandya, Ujjain Zila Panchayat President Smt. Kamla Kunwar, Dr. Prabhuram Jatwa, Shri Umesh Sengar, Shri Rajesh Panchal, Shri Bahadur Singh, Shri Om Jain, Head of Forest Force Shri V.N. Ambade, Managing Director of MP Minor Forest Produce Federation Dr. Samita Rajoura, CF Ujjain Shri Alok Pathak, other public representatives, departmental officers and a large number of citizens were present on the occasion.